What is the harsh reality of the search for Elizabeth on the KRCG news site?”
ST. MARTINS, MO — Friday morning started out hopeful as volunteers turned out to search for 9-year-old Elizabeth. It was a search that ended in tragedy. “What we’re endeavoring to do is find a young lady very much alive and reunite her with her family,” said Cole County Sheriff Greg White around 10 a.m. “We still have hope.” It was that hope that kept search crews going as some 50 volunteers honed-in on parts of the wooded area behind her house. Around 2:30 p.m., KRCG News was inside Elizabeth’s home as friends and family made buttons with her picture on them to pass out. But just a half hour later, around 3 p.m., the sheriff announced they found Elizabeth’s body deep in the woods behind her home. It was a devastating blow to Elizabeth’s family and a community praying for a miracle. “Our family was deeply saddened this afternoon to hear about her passing,” said Liza Adrian, Elizabeth’s sister-in-law. “We would like the community to know that we are grateful for all your thoughts and p
Earlier Friday, about 70 people had searched for Elizabeth on horseback, with all-terrain vehicles and on foot while another 70 investigators checked leads, White said. Several hundred people had joined the search Thursday despite a steady rain and rough terrain. Police focused their search area after they figured out roughly where Elizabeth’s phone was located. White said the phone was later found but declined to say if it had turned up evidence. The Missouri State Highway Patrol searched by helicopter with thermal imaging radar, and the Missouri State Water Patrol checked ponds in the area with sonar. Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. James Keathley said he wishes the outcome was better. “It’s been quite an ordeal for the last few days. There’s a lot emotions involved in this. It’s been tough on everybody involved in this case,” Keathley said. David Schulte, who lives nearby, said Elizabeth typically would walk through his front yard about 30 or 40 feet away from the road on her way
