Holly Bobo search at two month mark, called missing person case, not homicide, by Tenn. investigators

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

Holly Bobo

/ Personal Photo

(CBS/WREG) PARSONS, Tenn. - The investigation into the disappearance of 20-year-old Holly Bobo is still a missing persons case, not a homicide, authorities said, two months after the nursing student was apparently abducted from her central Tennessee home. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent John Mehr also ruled out the possibility that Bobo is a runaway, reports CBS affiliate WREG.

Monday, June 13 marked two months since Bobo was last seen leaving her home and talking to a man suspected of kidnapping her.

"We know people have that information. Just please call us there's no doubt in my mind. There are people who know what happened to Holly, and there may be more than one person involved," Mehr said on Wednesday, June 8, according to the station.

And if more people may be involved, then they may talk, Mehr suggested. If anyone has overhead or seen conversations take place that could lend a clue to the investigation, they need to call investigators, he said.

Bobo was last seen the morning of Wednesday, April 13, apparently being led away from her house in Parsons, about 100 miles northeast of Memphis.

Mehr said authorities still receive tips every day.

Volunteer search groups have not been called upon since the first few weeks after Bobo vanished. Two months after she was abducted from her Decatur County home, officials are still searching local areas every week.

Agents still occupy a command post at the National Guard Armory in Parsons.

Mehr said agents have spoken with everyone relevant to Holly Bobo's life, including people in her past. All alibis that people have given have been verified to be true, he said.

Lt. Brad Wilbanks, with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, calls his captain every night.

"It just so happens I've got two daughters in that age range, and he does too. It makes it very personal. You know, what did we miss, what do we need, what can we do?" Wilbanks said.

"We're still waiting on that tip. We're one tip away from finding her," Wilbanks said.

Complete coverage of the Holly Bobo case on Crimesider

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Holly Bobo, Tenn. nursing student, missing

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by ken711 August 6, 2011 11:24 AM EDT: This may mean nothing but I had a dream about a log cabin on a hill she was walking and there was a man with her, however she was not being forced too go.; Reply to this comment


by Wolfscratch July 3, 2011 12:11 PM EDT: Abductions in the US has become epidemic, and Law Enforcement and the Justice System is simply overwhelmed due to antiquated strategies and laws.

The American public is a very valuable resource in missing persns investigations. Priority one should be to locate & Bring Holly Bobo Home Safely to her Family..

Only one or two pieces of unknown evidence is necessary to pin a suspect down during an interrogation. Prosecution is of no value if the investigation grows cold...

Most predators are recidivist and most times apprehended by an aware public.

'Information, Education, Communication, DNA Laws & Databanks, as well as the use of all available resources(the American people via the media) is the answer to saving abduction victims and apprehending predators'...

The antiquated silence strategy being used by the TBI, only leads to inocent victims lives lost, more cold cases, and an unknown predator continuing his reign of terror on the community..
When will they learn?

Wolfscratch; Reply to this comment


by GreenBean221 June 22, 2011 4:34 PM EDT: Over a month ago they said they were waiting on ONE tip. I do not understand why this is so low key and why the family is not DEMANDING national attention. I just don't get why the police called off the search after a few weeks.

It makes me think they knew what happened but now they say they are still waiting on tips. I hope they find her soon.; Reply to this comment

by jennonredcarpet June 19, 2011 3:45 PM EDT

Why are they waiting on a tip? Go out and start banging on doors. Check real estate records. Check farms, barns, and trailers. Check old land deeds to see if any property has underground tunnels or cellars.

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by GreenBean221 June 22, 2011 4:38 PM EDT: I agree. They need search and rescue dogs. I hated to see the horses, SUVs, people all trampling all around the first day she was missing.


by angelofurnightmare June 19, 2011 9:44 AM EDT: i pray they find her soon..no matter the outcome her family deserves to know; Reply to this comment