Tanya Shannon Missing: Snow Predictions Once Again Halt Search for Missing Illinois Woman

RANSOM, Ill. (CBS/AP) Authorities had hoped warmer weather would melt some of the ice and snow hampering their search for the 40-year-old Ransom, Ill. mother who may have walked away from a fatal early morning car accident Dec. 5.

However, with more snow in the forecast for northern Illinois, the search remains on hold for Tanya Shannon, who disappeared after the car crash that killed her husband.

The crash killed her 41-year-old husband Dale Shannon, the driver of the vehicle, when the car slid into a utility police on an icy rural road as the couple returned home from a holiday party, reports The Pantagraph.

At the scene, police found footprints leading away from the car, as well as a lone slipper; however, there were no signs of Shannon or her body.

Searchers combed the area for four days thinking that Shannon could have collapsed in the surrounding farm fields or fallen into a ditch and was covered by snow, but with few clues and frigid temperatures they were forced to suspend the search, says The Pantagraph.

Sheriff Tom Templeton has said there is no indication so far that the case is anything more than a missing woman and that the FBI would not be called unless there was evidence of abduction.

According to The Pantagraph, the Shannons had filed for divorce earlier this year, but were able to reconcile their differences. They have four daughters who are in the care of relatives.

Authorities believe Shannon may be dead or her body may be buried in the snow, but they have not ruled out the possibility that she may be alive.

Anyone with information on Tanya Shannon's whereabouts is urged to call the LaSalle County Sheriff's office at 815-433-2161.