Thursday, 4:30 PM
Police say missing student might have been in red Jeep
(Photo courtesy of the Burlington Police Department)
Police in Burlington, Vt., said today that they are searching for this red Jeep Cherokee in connection with a missing University of Vermont student.
By Suzanne Smalley, Globe Staff
By Suzanne Smalley, Globe Staff
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Police asked today for the public's help in tracking the whereabouts of a red Jeep Cherokee that a missing University of Vermont senior might have been in just before her disappearance.
Meanwhile, the search for Michelle Gardner-Quinn appeared to be focusing today at a home in the Hill section near the campus. Police with search dogs, excavation equipment, and at least one FBI agent could be seen on the plot, where an addition is being built in the backyard. Thursday, search teams scoured along Lake Champlain and in Richmond and neighboring Jericho.
Police announced a 4:30 press conference at City Hall to update the investigation.
The Jeep belongs to a man that police said today is "a person of interest" in their investigation and who was seen walking with Gardner-Quinn about 2:30 a.m. Saturday on Main Street downtown and loaned her his cellphone.
Police said they have already searched the vehicle, but urged anyone who might have seen the Jeep between Saturday morning and Monday morning to call investigators immediately. They wouldn't release the Jeep's license plate number, but said it could be identified by a black stripe painted on the back.
Police have questioned the man, but have not identified him. They have said he is related to a house in nearby Richmond they searched on Tuesday. On Thursday, police released video and still images taken of the two walking near the intersection with Union Street and urged anyone who saw them to call investigators.
"He remains a focus because we're unable to rule him out," Deputy Police Chief Michael Schirling said at a late morning press conference.
