Volunteers, Authorities Searching Sunday in Dunn Case
By: Austin Kellerman
Updated: January 9, 2011
One of the searches being organized began at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Coahoma Volunteer Fire Department. Volunteers from Big Spring, Coahoma, Vincent, Midland, and Odessa were involved with that search group on Saturday.
As volunteers search wooded and unpopulated areas, law enforcement says its wrapped up canvassing Hailey's Colorado City neighborhood as well as search efforts in the small town of Dunn, which is about 12 miles north of Colorado City.
As of Saturday evening, law enforcement planned to move its efforts south of Dunn on Sunday.
Senior DPS Trooper Spark Dean said Saturday that the searches hadn't found any concrete evidence that would lead investigators to believe foul play was involved in Hailey's disappearance. Dean did say investigators are receiving tips from volunteer searchers.
Colorado City's City Manager Pete Kampfer said law enforcement was not directly involved with these grassroot search parties. He made it clear they're looking at them as a good thing.
"We're staying with that from a positive perspective," added Kampfer.
Volunteers kicked off their grassroots searching effort Friday. A group of more than 100 volunteers met in the early part of the afternoon outside the Mitchell County Courthouse.
On Saturday morning, another group met at the Old Dollar General parking lot on Oak Street before dispersing to search for the day.
At last check, one of the country's most elite search groups was preparing to possibly come to Colorado City to aid authorities and volunteers. Texas Equusearch says its been contacted by the Dunn family to assist. TES has been in contact with law enforcement and tells bigcountryhomepage.com its waiting for the "go ahead."
Calls to Texas Equusearch were not returned Saturday. An agency taking messages for the group said our message would be forwarded.
Officials now say the information that leads to Hailey's safe return is $15,000. They previously estimated much higher at $25,000.
