New Approach in Search for Missing Henry Co. Mother
By Lori Barrow
Paris, Tenn.- According to Chris Williams, Director of
Operations for Southeast Canine Search and Rescue (SEK9SAR), a team of
Criminology students from Towson University, from Towson, MD are coming to West Tennessee to
continue working the case of local missing mother, Rachel Conger. Williams
stated, “We have been working on and off behind the scenes looking for Rachel
for over a year.” Conger has been
missing from her Como, TN home for five years.
Williams stated that Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew has
been very helpful in the planning of the search and that Captain Damon Lowe has
been active in coordinating with the team prior to the search. On Friday,
Sheriff Monte Belew will speak to the group at Bethel University, followed by a
phone conference with Amber Simmons, Conger’s now 18-year-old daughter. Rachel
Conger’s mother, Louise Younger, will also be in attendance. Simmons said from
her Georgia home, “I appreciate everything that all of these people are doing. I am happy they are coming in and searching
again. I hope this opens up new possibilities in the case and I hope that they
are able to find some answers.”
The Towson students chose Rachel as someone they felt could
use the help due to the limited exposure that her case has received. Williams said, “Everyone deserves resolution.
That includes Rachel and her family. We feel that although all this time has
passed, Rachel can still be found. She will only be found if she is searched
for. ” The field search will be Saturday and Sunday at Land Between the Lakes.
Williams
emphasized that although Southeast Canine Search and Rescue is directing the
search that it is a multistate, multiagency endeavor. The searchers will include Southeast K-9
Search and Rescue, Jodi Powers Search and Rescue from KY, Smyrna Rescue, and
many volunteers working alongside the students. They are not requesting
volunteer searchers at this time, however, Williams stated volunteers may be
needed at a later date. Williams stated, “We will be hosting more searches over
the next several months for Rachel if she is not found. The public will be
allowed to participate. They can sign up at www.southeastk9sar.org in the
registration link type: Rachel Conger.”
Southeast K-9 Search and Rescue is a Non-Profit Organization that provides specially trained Search and Rescue Personnel, K-9 Units, and equipment to most of the United States. SEK9SAR hold awards and recognition from the TN State Senate and House, Presidential Volunteer Service Awards from President Obama, The National Points of Light from Former President George W. Bush, and awards from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. They currently have K-9 Teams based in McEwen, TN, Dickson, TN, Clarksville, TN, Smyrna, TN and Madisonville, KY.
Websites and Contact information: http://www.southeastk9sar.org/, www.bringrachelhome.blogspot.com, https://www.facebook.com/BringRachelHome
