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Post by Sher on Jul 13, 2005 9:16:17 GMT -5
Police are looking for a 29-year-old pregnant woman who went missing on her way to work Tuesday morning.
Lianna White's brown Ford Explorer was found in the parking lot of a playing field behind the Castledowns YMCA, with the keys in the ignition, her purse inside and the door open.
Police say White, who is about four months pregnant, left home in the Castledowns area about 6:15 a.m. but never arrived at work for her 7 a.m. shift as a medical clerk. She was likely wearing medical scrubs.
Her vehicle was found at 7:22 a.m., along her normal route to work. Police say no one has heard from her all day.
"This is still very suspicious and that's how we're treating it," acting Insp. Jamie Ewatski said. "We're still treating it as a missing person. We're just expanding our search. We're going to be going into the neighbourhood."
About 20 police officers are canvassing the area, asking residents whether they saw anything.
Police say her family is distraught and her co-workers concerned, and that her disappearance is "uncharacteristic."
"Human beings are very different people and we have no idea what's behind all this, so we're hoping for the best," Ewatski said. "And we're hoping someone will see her or she'll contact us."
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Post by Sher on Jul 13, 2005 9:18:18 GMT -5
THE JOURNAL Latest News
Husband last to see missing mom Disappearance of pregnant mother of toddler shocks quiet, suburban neighbourhood Karen Kleiss and Florence Loyie, with files from RenataD'Aliesio The Edmonton Journal
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
EDMONTON - The young, expectant mother at the centre of a massive north-side police search is known as a quiet, friendly woman who always wears a bright smile.
Neighbours on the winding suburban crescent in Dunluce where 29-year-old Liana White and her husband Mike have lived for four years are in shock.
White is four months pregnant with the couple's second child; their first, a girl, is just a toddler.
"She was just here last night with little Ashley, because the little girl wanted to pat my dog, Ginger," neighbour Barb Jama said, tears swelling in her eyes.
"This is so scary. It is hard to even imagine what happened. For her to disappear like this is just so out of character."
Police are treating White's disappearance as suspicious because she has never gone missing before and never failed to show up for work without calling.
"It's very uncharacteristic of her," said acting duty officer Jamie Ewatski.
The couple lives on the kind of street that shuts down for summer block parties, a place where neighbours chat at the end of the driveway -- the perfect place to raise a family.
White was last seen by her husband at 6:15 a.m., when she left for work at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, where she works as a clerk in the neo-natal intensive care unit.
At 7:27 a.m., police received a report of an abandoned SUV in the parking lot between two baseball diamonds near 116th Street and 157th Avenue, a short drive from the White home.
The driver's door of the 1991 Ford Explorer was wide open and White's purse and keys were inside.
Her wallet was missing and her identification and shoes were scattered around the parking lot.
Other personal items were found in the northwest corner of the ballpark. Her cellphone was found in the grass 15 metres away.
There were no signs of struggle, no drag marks and no blood.
Darryl MacMillan, who was walking to the bus stop on 157th Avenue early Tuesday, said he saw the Explorer in the parking lot around 5:55 a.m.
"I thought it was someone out walking their dogs," he said.
A second citizen reported a suspicious vehicle parked at the ball diamond, which police later seized and took in for forensic identification processing.
Homicide, robbery, traffic and forensic units were brought in to help with the search.
Plainclothes surveillance units were taken off regular duty to canvass the neighbourhood.
Canine units searched the park area and the police helicopter Air One flew overhead.
Civilian volunteers flagged down rush-hour traffic and handed out flyers with the young mother's photo, and civilian search-and-rescue teams combed the area.
Ewatski said White's husband Mike was "very distraught" when he learned of his wife's disappearance.
On Tuesday night, the ex-military man and heavy duty mechanic was with police.
Investigators checked with family, local hospitals and emergency medical services, to no avail.
White is described as five feet four and weighing about 190 pounds. She has a fair complexion, brown eyes and brown hair that falls midway down her back. She is likely wearing medical scrubs.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call police at 423-4567.
kkleiss@thejournal.canwest.com
floyie@thejournal.canwest.com
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Post by Sher on Jul 13, 2005 9:19:50 GMT -5
Police, family and neighbours fear the worst after a 29-year-old pregnant woman vanished on her way to work yesterday morning.
"This is scary," said acting Insp. Jamie Ewatski, referring to the disappearance of Liana White. "We all think about Punky Gustavson. These things are out of the ordinary.
Cops received a call about 7:30 a.m. yesterday after someone reported seeing a suspicious vehicle parked in a parking lot next to a soccer field at 157 Avenue and 116 Street.
Police found White's brown Ford Explorer with a door wide open and keys inside, but not in the ignition.
White was wearing green medical scrubs when she left for work at her downtown job in the health field. Police were told she was scheduled to start work at 7 a.m.
Cops said White's home is a five-minute drive northwest of where her truck was found.
"(Her husband) and her family are very distraught," said Ewatski. "They are beside themselves and we are trying to comfort them and glean some more information from them as well."
Last night police said they were dealing with scores of tips after the media blitz that followed White's disappearance.
White's purse was outside the truck and her wallet was missing. Her credit cards, health-care card and other ID were strewn on the ground west of the Explorer. A pair of her shoes were found next to the vehicle.
"We've done all the required checks we've had to do in regards to ambulance, hospital, we've checked our cellblock," Ewatski said. "Nobody has seen this lady."
"She has not shown up at work. It's very uncharacteristic of her to do this."
A dog unit and Air 1, the police helicopter, were called to the scene. Later in the day volunteers with the community police radio network handed out posters with pictures of White and her truck.
Police also called out members of the homicide unit, robbery section and northside criminal investigation section. Cops said their expertise is crucial in this situation.
Another witness, city worker Darryl MacMillan, told police he saw the Explorer parked in the lot at 5:50 a.m.
White is five-foot-four, 190 pounds and is four months pregnant.
Police were keeping people away from the family's house yesterday until investigators had finished inside. A forensics unit was outside the house yesterday evening.
It's standard practice to search a missing person's house, police said, as well as interview family and friends.
The case is eerily similar to one that occurred in Edmonton a decade ago.
Det. Wil Tonowski of the EPS high-risk offender unit was last night accessing the national sex-offender registry. It's the first time police in Alberta have accessed the seven-month-old database for an active investigation, Tonowski said.
Tonowski said he couldn't get into the specifics of the investigation, but said there were grounds to access the database. He stressed "there's nothing specific that points to any sex assault at this point."
Sheila Salter, 42, was abducted in her own truck from an Edmonton parkade near her business on Dec. 7, 1995. Her body was found 10 days later in an abandoned farmhouse.
Peter Brighteyes was convicted of first-degree murder for Salter's death and sentenced to life. In 1997, he committed suicide in the Edmonton Max.
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Post by Sher on Jul 13, 2005 16:47:31 GMT -5
Man appeals for return of missing pregnant wife CTV.ca News Staff
A man whose pregnant wife disappeared while on her way to work sobbed and broke down in tears Wednesday as he pleaded for her return.
Liana White, 29, failed to show up for work Tuesday morning. Her car was found abandoned in a parking lot near her home.
Her disappearance has prompted an intense search by police and civilian volunteers in the couple's suburban Edmonton neighbourhood.
"My wife is a good person, never hurts anybody, never would. She would never hurt a fly. She is a gentle person," Michael White told CTV News.
"Who ever has her, or if she is out there and you see me, or see this, just stay there and we will find you. I will find you."
Police made an appeal of their own Wednesday, asking for the public's help in their search.
White, who is four months pregnant with her second child, was last seen by her husband at 6:15 a.m. when she left in her green medical scrubs for a downtown hospital where she works.
Police say the driver's door of her 1991 brown Ford Explorer was found open and her purse and keys were inside.
White's wallet was missing, her identification and shoes were scattered around the parking lot and her cellphone was found in the grass 15 metres away.
There were no signs of a struggle.
Detectives were checking numerous tips and continued to canvass neighbourhoods.
"We are asking everybody and anybody if they saw anything unusual," said police spokeswoman Lisa Lammi.
"Don't discount anything you think is unusual or irregular."
Police say White has never disappeared before and never failed to show up for work without calling.
Homicide, robbery, traffic and forensic investigators were brought in to help.
Civilian volunteers flagged down rush-hour traffic Tuesday and handed out flyers with the missing woman's photo. Police searched the family's house and seized the vehicle for forensic analysis.
Neighbours on the crescent where the couple have lived for four years are in shock.
White is known as a quiet, friendly woman. The couple's first child, a girl, is just a toddler.
Lammi said police wouldn't comment on a tip that White's abandoned vehicle was reported in the area before 6:15 a.m. -- the time her husband said White left for work.
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Post by Sher on Jul 14, 2005 14:40:23 GMT -5
An Edmonton man choked back tears yesterday, struggling to deliver a message to his pregnant wife, now missing for two days.
Michael White took a moment to compose himself before urging Liana White to be strong.
"Liana, just hold tight," he said.
Michael had been waiting for news of his 29-year-old wife since Tuesday.
Speaking with reporters in front of the couple's northend home yesterday, he made the short statement before expressing his gratitude to the community.
Police are treating the disappearance as suspicious.
"Thanks to everybody who's been involved and looking. Thank you," he said.
"Thanks for every police officer and detective on the case, thank you. I just want to say thanks."
Accompanied by police detectives, he then retreated back inside his bungalow, declining to answer reporters' questions.
Earlier in the day, Michael, a mechanic and ex-military man, pleaded for his wife's safe return.
"My wife is a good person, never hurts anybody, never would," he earlier told CFRN Television. "She would never hurt a fly. She is a gentle person.
"If whoever has her, or if she is out there and sees me, just stay there and I will find you.
"I will find you."
Michael's relatives were expected to arrive last night from Ontario.
EXPANDED SEARCH
Police expanded their search yesterday to include areas beyond the scene where Liana's Ford Explorer was found parked in a lot next to a sports field at 157 Avenue and 116 Street, blocks from the family's home, early Tuesday.
Residents were asked to search their yards and check if anything seemed out of place.
Michael has told police he hasn't seen his wife since 6:15 a.m., when she left for her job at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
However, city worker Darryl MacMillan told police he saw the Explorer parked in the lot at 5:50 a.m.
Several other witnesses reported seeing the truck in the lot before 6:15 a.m.
When asked about the discrepancies, police spokesman Lisa Lammi said, "I do know that is being investigated."
A neighbour, who requested anonymity, said Liana left for work regularly at 6:15 a.m., "6:30 if she was running late."
Insp. Jamie Ewatski said, "We're just hoping that something is going to come to light from somebody who knows her, and maybe something's been said."
Though he's not an investigator on the case, Ewatski admitted the longer Liana is missing, the colder the trail might get.
"As time passes, the tougher it gets," he said.
NOT A SUSPECT
Homicide detectives spent a portion of the day interviewing Michael, who is not considered a suspect.
"I can't categorize him as a suspect," said Det. Ernie Schreiber.
"This is the day after his wife went missing. We're just treating this as any other missing person case."
Staff at the Royal Alex, where Liana worked as a clerk in the neo-natal intensive care unit, said her disappearance is completely out of character.
Neighbours on the crescent where the couple have resided for four years are in shock.
Liana is known as a quiet, friendly woman.
The couple's first child, a girl, is still a toddler.
Though Liana was initially described by police as weighing 190 pounds, they yesterday said that may be revised to a lower weight, closer to 150 pounds.
She has brown hair, brown eyes and is four months pregnant.
Anyone with information on Liana's disappearance is asked to contact police at 423-4567.
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Post by Sher on Jul 14, 2005 18:35:41 GMT -5
Missing mom not criminal investigation: Police CTV.ca News Staff
Edmonton police say they are not treating the disappearance of a young pregnant mother as a criminal investigation...yet.
Liana White, 29, failed to show up for work Tuesday morning. Her car, containing her personal belongings, was found abandoned in a parking lot near her home.
Her disappearance has prompted an intense search by police and civilian volunteers in the couple's suburban Edmonton neighbourhood.
Police say although her disappearance is suspicious and out of character, they are currently treating the case as a missing person's file.
They say while there is no identified suspect, they can't rule out anybody at this stage.
"In all reality we have to take a look at everybody who has something to do with her life," Acting Inspector Jamie Ewatski told CTV News.
"Whether its close family members, parents, or friends at work, we have to look at everybody."
Police say they have found no evidence of a struggle or that a crime took place.
White was reported missing by her family on Tuesday.
On Wednesday White's husband broke down in tears as he pleaded for her return.
"My wife is a good person, never hurts anybody, never would. She would never hurt a fly. She is a gentle person," a visibly shaken Michael White told CTV News.
"Whoever has her, or if she is out there and you see me, or see this, just stay there and we will find you. I will find you."
Police made an appeal of their own Wednesday, asking for the public's help in their search.
White, who is four months pregnant with her second child, was last seen by her husband.
He said she left home at 6:15 a.m. in her green medical scrubs for a downtown hospital where she works.
Her abandoned SUV was found about 10 blocks from the home she shares with her husband and her two-year-old daughter.
Police say the driver's door of the 1991 brown Ford Explorer was found open and White's purse and keys were inside.
Her identification and shoes were scattered around the parking lot and her cellphone was found in the grass 15 metres away.
There were no signs that White was dragged away, with no marks on the ground and no blood.
Detectives were checking numerous tips and continued to canvass neighbourhoods.
"We are asking everybody and anybody if they saw anything unusual," said police spokeswoman Lisa Lammi.
"Don't discount anything you think is unusual or irregular."
Homicide, robbery, traffic and forensic investigators have been brought in to help.
Civilian volunteers flagged down rush-hour traffic Tuesday and handed out flyers with the missing woman's photo. Police searched the family's house and seized the vehicle for forensic analysis.
Neighbours on the crescent where the couple have lived for four years are in shock. White is known as a quiet, friendly woman. Lammi said police wouldn't comment on a tip that White's abandoned vehicle was reported in the area before 6:15 a.m. -- the time her husband said White left for work.
Police have said they don't currently consider Michael White a suspect.
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Post by Jackpassingthru on Jul 14, 2005 21:36:15 GMT -5
Bald man, 5'10, set up to look like abduction, check local lakes. Weights missing from home and used to weight down body. Woman killed around 3am. Pajamas with animals. Does husband have boat? Tip too early red flag. LE watches him.
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Post by Sher on Jul 15, 2005 1:04:52 GMT -5
Husband to search for missing pregnant wife CTV.ca News Staff
The distraught husband of a missing pregnant Edmonton woman says he is frustrated with the police investigation into his wife's disappearance and and may take matters into his own hands.
Liana White, 29, failed to show up for work Tuesday morning. Her car, containing her personal belongings, was found abandoned in a parking lot near her home.
Now, after almost three days without trace, her husband, Michael White, says he plans to search for his missing wife on his own.
"My sorrow has now become anger," he told CTV News.
"She's my wife. I'm going to find her. I said the first day I'm going to find her and I will."
Edmonton police admit they still have few leads in the search for the young mother, who is four months pregnant with her second child.
They they say they have found no evidence of foul play and are not treating the case as a criminal investigation at this stage.
Her disappearance prompted an intense search by police and civilian volunteers in the couple's suburban Edmonton neighbourhood.
Police say although her disappearance is suspicious and out of character, they are currently treating the case as a missing person's file.
They say while there is no identified suspect, they can't rule anybody out of the investigation.
"In all reality we have to take a look at everybody who has something to do with her life," Acting Inspector Jamie Ewatski told CTV News.
"Whether its close family members, parents, or friends at work, we have to look at everybody."
White was reported missing by her family on Tuesday.
She was last seen by her husband. He says she left home at 6:15 a.m. in her green medical scrubs for a downtown hospital where she works.
Her abandoned SUV was found about 10 blocks from the home she shares with her husband and her two-year-old daughter.
Police say the driver's door of the 1991 brown Ford Explorer was found open and White's purse and keys were inside.
Her identification and shoes were scattered around the parking lot and her cellphone was found in the grass 15 metres away.
There were no signs that White was dragged away, with no marks on the ground and no blood.
Detectives were checking numerous tips and continued to canvass neighbourhoods.
"We are asking everybody and anybody if they saw anything unusual," said police spokeswoman Lisa Lammi.
"Don't discount anything you think is unusual or irregular."
Homicide, robbery, traffic and forensic investigators have been brought in to help.
Civilian volunteers flagged down rush-hour traffic Tuesday and handed out flyers with the missing woman's photo. Police searched the family's house and seized the vehicle for forensic analysis.
Neighbours on the crescent where the couple have lived for four years are in shock.
White is known as a quiet, friendly woman.
Police won't comment on a tip that White's abandoned vehicle was reported in the area up to an hour before 6:15 a.m. -- the time her husband said White left for work.
Police have said they don't currently consider Michael White a suspect.
White is described as 5'4, and weighing about 190 pounds. She has a fair complexion, brown eyes and brown hair that falls midway down her back.
Liana's weight has been revised to be 150lbs.
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Post by Sher on Jul 15, 2005 1:05:30 GMT -5
Bald man, 5'10, set up to look like abduction, check local lakes. Weights missing from home and used to weight down body. Woman killed around 3am. Pajamas with animals. Does husband have boat? Tip too early red flag. LE watches him. not too sure about a boat, but very easy to find out.
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Post by cassina on Jul 15, 2005 1:11:27 GMT -5
ohhhhhh wowwwwwww
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Post by cassina on Jul 15, 2005 1:15:03 GMT -5
That sounds like the hubby sissy cass
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Post by Sher on Jul 15, 2005 1:16:02 GMT -5
very very much like the hubby ... im wondering though if le picked up on missing weights when searching the house?
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Post by cassina on Jul 15, 2005 1:20:02 GMT -5
Probably not remember Scott Peterson they didnt think tthat he did it for a longgg time
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Post by cassina on Jul 15, 2005 1:21:49 GMT -5
OMG i just had a thought he was a heavey equiptment opporator isnt he..... he would have access to concreat wouldnt he?
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Post by Sher on Jul 15, 2005 1:22:18 GMT -5
so true, although, they said in the second day that they are not looking at him as a suspect, but now they say they are not ruling anyone out. they've not made any comments on the city worker who spotted the vehicle early in the morning which is good i guess but way too many things here are being kept to quiet you know what i mean?
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