Michaela "Mickey" Shunick Missing: Vigil held for missing La. college student

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter

Michaela "Mickey" Shunick

/ Lafayette Police Department

(CBS/KLFY) LAFAYETTE, La. - Hundreds gathered Tuesday night in Lafayette to pray for the return of Louisiana college student MIchaela "Mickey" Shunick, 22, whose disappearance early Saturday has quickly gained national attention.

Pictures: La. college student missing after bike ride

At the vigil, those who know Shunick shared stories about her and pleaded for anyone who has information that could help locate her to please come forward, reports CBS affiliate KLFY. Scores of strangers also reportedly showed up in a display compassion and support for Shunick's family.

Shunick was last seen riding a bicycle around 2:00 a.m. on May 19, 2012, according to a Lafayette Police Department press release. Shunick's family says they knew something was wrong Saturday morning when she didn't attend her brother's graduation ceremony, reports KLFY.

Shunick's disappearance has reportedly gained national attention partly due to a tireless social media campaign. According to KATC, an online team works around the clock posting videos on youtube and running a Facebook campaign to raise awareness. The case has already been covered by CNN, Good Morning America, Nancy Grace and the Huffington Post.

"It's so wonderful to see everyone jump on board and spread this around, to see that it's been picked up everywhere, it's amazing," said Josh Coen, who leads the online efforts, KATC reports.

ABC News reports that searches by K-9 units, police and volunteers have yet to lead to any clues but the missing woman's family remains hopeful.

"We want our daughter back -- that will make everything better," Nancy Rowe, Micky's mother told ABC News.

The college student, who turned 22 on Monday, is reportedly a senior anthropology major at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

A $20,000 reward is being offered for any information that may lead to finding her, according to ABC News.

Police say Shunick is a 5'1" white female, with blonde hair and weights 115 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pastel, multi-colored striped shirt, light wash skinny jeans and grey shoes. Shunick departed the residence on a black Schwinn bicycle with gold handle bar grips and wearing a brown leather backpack purse. It is believed that she was going to her residence near the intersection of Ambassador Caffery Parkway and Congress Street in Lafayette.

Detectives are asking anyone with any information about the case to contact the Lafayette Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 232-TIPS.