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| Holly Lynn Bobo |
Dozens of horses, helicopters, police dogs, trailers and ATVs joined more than 400 volunteers on Wednesday looking for the 20-year-old nursing student and her abductor, described as 5-10 to 6 feet tall and around 200 pounds.
Darden, a community of about 2,500 people, is located along the Decatur/Henderson County border, about 120 miles northeast of Memphis near the Tennessee River.
Police say a neighbor first called 911 when she heard Bobo’s screams shortly after 7:30 a.m. Her 25-year-old brother, who was also home at the time, told officers he saw a man in camouflage clothing drag the slender, 5-3 girl, last seen wearing a pink shirt and light blue jeans, across their carport and into the woods behind their home.
No suspects are in custody and no vehicle information is currently available, indicating the man may have been on foot.
John Mehr, the special agent in charge of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Jackson, Tenn. office, said, “It’s not impossible” the kidnapper knew Bobo and her schedule, or that he may have come by to “case the place” before her abduction.
The TBI’s Violent Crime Response Team joined local and neighboring law enforcement officers dispatched to help search the area, which continued well past nightfall.
“Today we’re rechecking some areas we went over yesterday as well as widening our search,” Mehr said from outside the command post beside Bobo’s home on Swan Johnson Road. “We’ve divided the volunteers and they know their assignments. Hopefully something will turn up.”
Overnight prayer vigils were also held at area churches and community centers, including the unofficial volunteer meet-up, Bear Creek Baptist Church, located about three miles south of Bobo’s home.
Pastor Michael Crandall opened his doors a little after 5 this morning as more volunteers poured into the area, some by the van-full.
Organizers report at least 100 people showed up, in addition to local authorities, to look for the girl.
