BLOOMINGTON - Friday afternoon's search for a missing Indiana University student was called off because of weather.
The searches have been taking place daily for nearly two weeks since junior Lauren Spierer disappeared near the Bloomington campus.
"They are calling us in for the night, because of possible storms and lightning," said Skip Hess.
The weather held off long enough for Hess, a retired newspaper reporter, to get out into the woods and help with the search. Retirement has left him with some time on his hands.
"I feel guilty sitting at home. I'm retired and I have the time to do this," Hess said.
Retirement hasn't taken away his desire of getting to the truth behind Spierer's disappearance.
"You know, you get attached to it. You don't put your personal feelings into it, but you know, they need help," he said.
Willy Montgomery and his girlfriend also got out early, along with hundreds of volunteers giving of their time and energy every day. They were also asked to look in wooded areas for silver jewelry and clothes like those Lauren was wearing the night before she disappeared.
"There has got to be more to the story. There is always more to a story like this and it is sad that no one can come forward. I mean, her parents are suffering right now," Montgomery said.
There will also no longer be set times for volunteers to go out and search. Organizers are asking volunteers to come to McNutt Residence Hall to sign up and be sent out in groups of five or six people.
Police will not hold any news conferences over the weekend. The next one is scheduled for Monday at 11:30 am.
Father's Day plea
Bloomington Police vowed to continue searching for the 20-year-old, and her parents are again urging people to come forward with information as Father's Day approaches. Police also pulled a bag out of Spierer's apartment early Friday.
"The bottom line is that at this point, we still have a missing person. And our effort to try to find Lauren will not stop," said Capt. Joe Qualters, Bloomington PD.
That effort by Bloomington Police continued early Friday morning when officers visited Lauren Spierer's Smallwood apartment complex once again and left several minutes later holding a brown paper bag. Eyewitness News was the only camera there to capture the moment.
"We called them and they were there within 15 minutes," said Ernie Reno, Smallwood spokesperson.
That's because of what a security guard found in a sixth floor storage room Friday morning during what a spokesperson for Smallwood Apartments called a routine check.
"It appeared to be a department store bag with a drawstring type, sitting on top of a shoe box; a closed shoe box. He could see from the inside the bag that contained what appeared to be men's and women's clothing," said Reno.
"We have exceeded 1,000 tips now on this case," said Qualters.
Bloomington Police did not address the bag at Friday's news conference or say if the clothing inside was related to the case. They did talk again about the search for the white truck seen in the area when Lauren disappeared.
Police have received over 500 tips about the white truck. Police have pulled some over to talk to drivers, but found nothing.
"I would also like to thank all of the people that have had the courage and compassion to provide tips in connection with Lauren's disappearance," said Robert Spierer, Lauren's father.
He also made another plea: "Let me ask those that have information about Lauren or the events of that evening to get the courage to come forward and tell us anything that you know."
"We all know this Sunday is Father's Day," he said. After a long pause, he added, "I would ask any of the children out there to let your parents know..."
His wife Charlene finished the thought.
"This Sunday is Father's Day. The greatest gift that Robbie could have is information about Lauren," she said.
"To let your parents how much you love them and the parents out there be sure that you let your children know how much you love them," Robert Spierer finished.
America's Most Wanted will run Lauren's story a second time Saturday night.
Search parties continue to look for Lauren. Get more info on how you can help.
Call 812-339-4477 or email police with tips.
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