Cedar Rapids Weather
Search Intensifies For Missing Washington Co. WomanBy Jillian Petrus, ReporterRelated Content
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Iowa - The car of a missing Crawfordsville woman turns up near St. Louis adding to the mystery of her disappearance.
Sharon Hopf, 45, went missing last week. Her name and face are posted all over Washington County. There’s been no sign of the mother of two, wife and business owner from Crawfordsville since Thursday. “We don’t know anything and it’s been this long, we’re hoping for the best just that nothing bad has happened to her,” said Hopf’s step-daughter, Vanessa Hopf, 30, from Washington. Investigators say Hopf left for work around 7 o’clock Thursday morning headed to her furniture store in Kalona. Shortly after, her cell phone signal disappeared. Minutes later, her credit card is used at the Four Corners gas station in Ainsworth along the interstate. Family say a stop at that gas station isn’t her normal routine. Then, her trail goes cold in Iowa for several days. “We just want to know if she’s safe or not,” says Hopf, “just knowing has everyone upset.” On Saturday night, deputies get a lead several hundred miles away from Hopf’s home. A passerby spots the missing woman car in a St. Louis suburb, and then immediately calls police. Investigators searched it for evidence – but so far it’s given them little to go on. “My gut hopes that she’ll call in and let everyone know she’s ok,” said Washington County Sheriff, Jerry Dunbar. “That would be the best case scenario, and hopefully that’s the case.” Family members say Sharon sometimes goes by Sherry. She has a short-cropped hair cut, and usually wears little to no make-up. They’ve started a Facebook page with pictures and videos of the missing mom praying someone recognizes her and that she’s ok. “No matter what happened it doesn’t matter,” said Hopf, “We just want her to be safe - and come home.” Sheriff’s department says they’re still monitoring Hopf electronically hoping something pops up – cell phone or credit card use. In the meantime- the family is asking people to log onto the Find Sharon Hopf Facebook page and share the page with others. More Good Stuff |
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