Lauren Spierer

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http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/sto...qp-0062550.sto


With still no leads to Lauren Spierer’s whereabouts Tuesday, police and the parents of the missing IU student updated the community on the hunt for her, saying the search parties will continue.
Using reports of friends and surveillance video, police so far have pieced together much of Spierer’s actions on Thursday, the evening before she was reported missing. Authorities have interviewed many of her friends and they are all cooperating, police spokesman Lt. Bill Parker with the Bloomington Police said.
Spierer went with friends to Kilroy’s on Walnut Street Thursday night, police said at a 11 a.m. press conference. Video footage and friends confirm that she was there until about 2:30 or 2:40. At that point she and a male friend went to Smallwood where Spierer lived, but did not go to her apartment.
According to other video camera records, after a short time at the Smallwood building, Spierer and her friend walked to an apartment at 11 and Morton streets where another friend lives. She left that friend’s apartment and walked a few doors down to another apartment in the same building, police said.
At 4:30, according to what police have been told, she headed home. She was last seen on 11th and College and did not arrive at Smallwood.
Police teams with dogs and privately organized groups will continue searches today in the areas where officials hope evidence of Spierer’s whereabouts is to be found.
Authorities have already gotten hundreds of tips and are following up on them. The FBI is helping with the case, as are the Indiana State Police, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana University Poi lice.
Spierer’s father, Robert Spierer, told the media that his daughter is on medication for a heart condition and reiterated his plea for help with the search.
He described Lauren as “full of life,” always on the go and fun to be with, with a very large circle of friends. Additional searches are planned today, starting at Smallwood at 2 and 5:30 p.m

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Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/07...#ixzz1ObqoCVm7

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Foul play suspected for missing IU student, Police identified people of interest

Lauren Spierer, an Indiana University student from Westchester County, New York, disappeared after drinking at a sports bar with friends at around 4:30 a.m. on Friday, June 3. She was last seen walking alone toward her apartment in downtown Bloomington. Spierer's purse and keys were found along the route to her friend's apartment, and she left her cell phone and shoes in the bar.

According to Indiana police, foul play could be involved in the incident.

It is "not impossible" but "unlikely" that 20-year-old Spierer left the Bloomington area on her own, said Lieutenant Bill Parker of the Bloomington Police Department, reported the NY Post.

Among the newly released details on Tuesday morning, police said they do not have an official suspect but do have around 10 names of people of interest, and it is suspected there was foul play involved in her disappearance. Spierer's hair might have been cut or colored if she was abducted.

Around 400 volunteers have been searching for Spierer, as police seeks to find evidence on the disappearance. A news conference will be held every weekend until further notice

The Indiana Daily Student stated that searches are scheduled for 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Tuesday in Bloomington.

Spierer's parents, Robert and Charlene Spierer, traveled from their home in Greenburgh, N.Y., to Bloomington for the search, described their daughter as a loving girl full of life. According to Spierer's mother Charlene Spierer, Spierer has a life-threatening heart condition called Long QT Syndrome and requires medical attention.

The missing Indiana student is described as 4'11" tall and approximately 95 lbs, with blond hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt over a white tank top and black pants.

If anyone has information about her, please contact the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477

http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/...-suspected.htm

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Lauren Spierer search: Closest friends at school reflect on missing college student


BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — When Lauren Spierer arrived at college, the popular freshman already had a network of friends.

Spierer, two of her three Indiana University roommates, her boyfriend and several other friends all went to the same group of Jewish, co-ed sleepaway camps in Wayne County, in northeast Pennsylvania. Spierer, a student from Greenburgh, has now been missing for two weeks.
At Camp Towanda, the petite fashionista had a summer romance with Jesse Wolff, a slightly older kid from Long Island who would become her college boyfriend. There, she also met Blair Wallach, who became her freshman roommate.

Meanwhile, she played inter-camp soccer and lacrosse against Amanda Roude, a Chappaqua girl at Indian Head Camp who became a close friend, and Hadar Tamir, a Long Island girl at Camp Chenawanda who moved in with Spierer and Wallach during their sophomore year.
By the time many of them arrived as Indiana freshmen in September 2009, they'd already met or were preparing to meet via Internet social networking sites.
"We pretty much had our group of friends made out before we came here," said Tamir.
"All of our parents sent us to camp," said Roude. "Being from the East Coast, it was definitely comfortable coming here from the same group of people who grew up the way we did."
Several of them met at a downtown coffee shop recently to talk about their missing friend, as a crowd of hundreds massed a few blocks away outside Spierer's apartment building, readying for their latest search for the IU sophomore, who disappeared June 3.
Now, more than two weeks after Spierer vanished following a night of partying, her closest friends are refusing to give up hope, at least publicly, that the 20-year-old will be found alive.
They have all participated in the search parties, joining hundreds of people daily who have scoured the midwestern college town and outlying areas, looking for any trace of her. They shared positive recollections of their friend with The Journal News, largely because they want the public to remain vested in a search effort that is losing momentum.
(Page 2 of 4)
At daily news conferences at police headquarters, Spierer's parents have followed up every briefing with a heartfelt, purposeful reflection on their youngest daughter, who despite a rare heart condition established herself as an outgoing young woman who studied hard, made friends easily, loved fashion and helped others.
Spierer volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and spent this year's spring break in Israel with her older sister, Rebecca, planting trees for the Jewish National Fund.
In a video clip from that trip, Spierer, wearing a black baseball cap backward over her long blond hair, gushed into a camera as she explained her mission:
"This project is really awesome and meaningful for both of us," she said. "We're getting a lot done and olive trees are such an important symbol to Israel. ... It's just a really great project to do and, without us, it would take a lot longer, so ..."
"We're happy we're here," her sister Rebecca chimed in.
Spierer grew up with a strong Jewish identity. Her family belongs to Scarsdale Synagogue, Temple Tremont and Temple Emanu-El.
And she chose Indiana University, in part, because of its large and engaged Jewish population. The student body of 40,000 is about 10 percent Jewish, and Spierer attended functions at the campus Hillel.
The school's Hillel chapter, in fact, has taken a leading role in the search, posting updates on its website. Meanwhile, the group's leader, Rabbi Sue Silberberg, has devoted much of the past two weeks overseeing volunteers and counseling Spierer's parents.
Some former Edgemont classmates have traveled to Bloomington to aid the search, saying she would have done the same for them if they were in trouble. They recall how she was the one who led an effort to raise funds for a charity established in honor of another high school friend, Taylor Matthews, who died from cancer a few years ago.
An avid collector of vintage clothing and jewelry, Spierer raised the most money by selling clothing accessories she designed and organizing a fashion show in 2008.

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Spierer won the "best dressed" award in her senior year of high school, and, when she arrived at Indiana, she decided to major in apparel merchandising. At the same time, she became known for her affinity for a certain feline fashion icon.
"She's beyond obsessed with Hello Kitty," Tamir said. "She had Hello Kitty outfits, a Hello Kitty blow-dryer, water bottles, everything."
Arriving at college, the small, bubbly teen made a strong impression on the group of East Coasters who would become her best friends.
"I thought she was like the smallest, cutest girl ever," said Sara Gornish of New Jersey. "She was very outgoing and could talk to anyone."
Most people called her Spierer, rather than Lauren.

She lived on campus her first year with Wallach, who shares Spierer's major. Her friends said she'd spend much of her time in the college library or with her boyfriend, often spending nights with him in an off-campus house he shared with fratmates.
Even before she enrolled, she traveled to Bloomington to attend his fraternity formal. "She didn't come here because of Jesse, but it definitely took their relationship to the next level," said Roude.
Tamir described the couple as "best friends."
"They definitely were each other's support systems," she said.

Read more: http://www.lohud.com/article/2011061...%7Ctext%7CNews

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This seems like a wonderful gal, hope they find her.

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Massive Search for Missing IU Student Lauren Spierer Planned for Saturday
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) – Bloomington Police are organizing a massive search this weekend for missing IU student Lauren Spierer.

The 20-year-old New York native disappeared June third and detectives are asking for volunteers for Saturday's search

A truck seen on surveillance tape around the time of her disappearance has been cleared in the investigation, and police have interviewed numerous people in connection with the case.

On Wednesday, Lauren's mom expressed disappointment that only one of her daughter's friends had come forward with any information.

A bag of clothing in a dumpster outside Spierer's apartment building was also uncovered last week.

On Friday Bloomington Police released the timeline of Lauren Spierer’s whereabouts from surveillance cameras.

"At 1:46 am Lauren entered Kilyroy's, exited at 2:27 am”
"At 2:30 entered Smallwood, exited at 2:40 am"
"Lauren entered north/south alley at 2:48 am"
"Lauren exited the alley at 2:51 am"
"Lauren visited an apartment on W. 11th street (11th and Morton)."
"Lauren’s final location was seen at 11th and College at approx. 4:30 am"

The night of Spierer’s disappearance she had worn a white, V-neck shirt with sleeves to her elbows. The shirt was scooped in the bottom at the front and back and had bell or butterfly sleeves. And she was also wearing black leggings with silver zippers at the ankles.

Indiana University plans to cover a big portion of the costs for the search to find missing student Lauren Spierer.

Reports say the school has pledged $50,000 for the search effort.

Aditionaly, police are still sifting through thousands of tips in the case and conducting searches with volunteers.

Reports say remote aerial drones are also being used in the search.

Spierer's parents refuse to give up, Lauren's mother said she has two things she wants to accomplish.

"My first thing is to say to the person that has Lauren or that has harmed Lauren: Shame on you. Shame on you. In relationship to that, the person that knows this person that's not coming forward with this information, I beg you to come forward," Charlene Spierer says.

The second thing she wanted to accomplish is to tell Lauren she loves her with all her heart and soul.

In the meantime, investigators have wrapped up their search of Lake Monroe after receiving a tip that Spierer could possibly be located there.

"Anything small could be big so speak up and contact the Bloomington Police Hotline with any information you have regarding Lauren," said Lauren Spierer's Father Robert Spierer.

The 20-year-old was last seen around 4:30 a.m. Friday morning, walking barefoot near the intersection of College Avenue and 11th Street in Bloomington, on the way to her apartment building located on 8th.

Spierer is described as white, 4'11, slender build, blue eyes, and blonde hair longer than shoulder length. She had on a white tank top with a loose light-colored button shirt over it, and black stretch pants when she disappeared. She was not wearing any shoes.

Police say she did not arrive at her apartment and video footage does not show her entering the building.

Police officers have searched the area several times including a search with a police K-9, and spoken with businesses, workers, and residents in the area. Saturday police distributed a flyer with Lauren's picture.

Police believe she is a victim of foul play.

However, Lauren's mother still believes her daughter is alive.

"To that one person, the one person that has the answer to this mystery and this puzzle, bring Lauren back. Let us know where she is, take her to a hospital, take her... let us have her back. I am pleading with that one person because there is one person there that knows," Lauren's Mother Charlene Spierer.

Please call the Bloomington Police Department’s 24-hour tip line if you have any information at 812-339-4477.

Meanwhile, three rewards have been offered in this case.

Lauren's apartment complex is offering $10,000 dollars.

Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay is offering $10,000 dollars.

Lauren's parents, Robert & Charlene Spierer are offering $100,000 dollars for their daughter's safe return.

http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/ne...123189648.html

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Police release image of pickup truck



BLOOMINGTON – Police released two images today in hopes of finding clues in the disappearance of Indiana University student Lauren Spierer who went missing June 3.

The photos, taken from security cameras near where Spierer was last seen, was of a mid-2000 white Chevy Silverado or Colorado four-door short-bed truck. Police said the vehicle had writing on the doors and rear panel, high quality set of rims, and was loaded with equipment in the back.

The truck was first recorded by a surveillance camera at 4:14 a.m. traveling westbound on 10th street approaching Morton Street. The video captured the vehicle heading northbound on Morton and was seen a second time at 4:24 a.m. heading westbound on 10th street approaching Morton Street.

The significance of that the area is in close proximity to where Lauren was last seen at 11th and College, said Bloomington Police Capt. Joe Qualters during the daily press briefing this morning, “and we basically have this same vehicle in the same area twice. This will hopefully shed some light on somebody who may have seen something in that particular area at that time."

Police also released a photo of Spierer before she headed out for the evening on June 2 that was captured by Smallwood Plaza surveillance. She was wearing a white V-neck shirt with butterfly sleeves to the elbows and black leggings with zippers near the ankles.

Pouring rain hampered but did not stop today’s search effort. Volunteers were to meet at Smallwood Plaza at 11a.m. and 5 p.m. to continue the search.

Spierer’s family also continued to make appeals to the public. "To the person or persons that have Lauren, we miss her terribly. She is very dear to us. We love her very much," said Robert Spierer, Lauren's father. " We want to get back just to embrace her and tell her we love her."

Earlier -- Police detail what Lauren Spierer was wearing
Bloomington police hope video enhancement will help shed light on potentially two motorists they think might have information on the disappearance of Indiana University student Lauren Spierer, who went missing 12 days ago.

"It's an important piece of the puzzle that needs to be answered," said Capt. Joe Qualters of the Bloomington Police Department.

Police have also updated what they believe Spierer was last wearing: a white V-neck shirt with butterfly sleeves that went to the elbow in a distressed fabric style, and black leggings with silver zippers near the ankles.

Police have received nearly 1,000 tips in the case, more than 350 of which came from an episode of "America's Most Wanted" that aired Saturday.

National expert Lee Walters from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Texas-based Equusearch, a volunteer search organization that uses horses and vehicles, have also arrived in Bloomington to provide fresh eyes and assistance with the search.

Qualters said searchers will retrace their steps.

"We are going to start back at the last location where Lauren was known to be, in the area of 11th and College, and those are going to be happening in one-quarter-mile increments with a very thorough search process," he said.

As the search continues, so do the donations. On Tuesday, IU set up a $50,000 fund that will help cover some of the costs.

Spierer's mother also pleaded once again for those who might know anything to come forward.

"I start my every day hoping that today is the day," said an emotional Charlene Spierer. "I go to sleep every night knowing that I have failed and that I haven't done enough."

She added: "Anybody that knows anything, it's time to come forward

http://www.indystar.com/article/2011...=mod%7Cmostcom

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sjk-...embedded#at=21

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Friend of missing IU student passed polygraph test, lawyers say

Lawyers representing the person thought to be the last to see Indiana University student Lauren Spierer before her disappearance say their client has cooperated with the investigation and passed a polygraph test.

Jason Rosenbaum, known to friends as Jay, has provided "full statements to police" and "provided cooperation as soon as requested by the authorities and continues to do so," according to the statement from attorneys James H. Voyles and Jennifer M. Lukemeyer.

Mr. Rosenbaum hopes for nothing less than Lauren to be found and to be safe," it said.

Spierer, 20, has been missing since the early morning of June 3, when she rounded the corner of 11th Street and College Avenue in Bloomington. Her roommate has said she spoke with Rosenbaum the day after Spierer went missing and that Rosenbaum had been the last to see her.

The lawyers' statement did not say who administered the polygraph test that Rosenbaum passed, where it was given or what questions were asked. Neither Rosenbaum nor his attorneys will be providing any new statements or comments to the media, according to the statement.

Voyles previously declined numerous requests to comment about the Spierer case on his client's behalf.

Voyles is best known for being a part of the defense team that represented Mike Tyson during the boxer's 1992 rape case in Indianapolis.

http://www.indystar.com/article/2011...7CIndyStar.com

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Spierer disappearance has similarities to Tenn. case (Holly Bobo)


BLOOMINGTON - The disappearance of an IU student earlier this month has similarities to a Tennessee case.

Nursing student Holly Bobo disappeared in April, two months before 20-year-old Lauren Spierer went missing near the IU campus. Both students are the same age and have similar looks, which raises questions.

"I can't even tell you what it's like to get that phone call that your daughter is missing," said Spierer's mother, Charlene.

"I think of her. I love her," said Bobo's mother, Karen.

The Spierer case has dominated Indiana news since June 3, when she was last reportedly spotted leaving a friend's apartment around 4:30 in the morning. Police and volunteers have searched, persons of interest have been questioned, but there have been no arrests yet.

Bobo disappeared 340 miles away, in Tennessee, also in the morning. She was last seen being led away by a man in camouflage. Volunteers have also joined the search for Bobo.

The two have more in common than their student status. Both are blond-haired, white females, age 20 and both are petite.

Information leading to the discovery of Spierer, the daughter of a prominent New York family, could bring a $100,000 reward. Bobo's cousin is country singer Whitney Duncan. There is an $85,000 reward offered in her case.

Students around IU who saw Bobo's picture mistook her for Lauren Spierer.

Late Tuesday, Bloomington police told Eyewitness News they were aware of the Tennessee case and the similarities, but don't think there's a connection at this time.

With the "Find Lauren" search center shutting down Wednesday and the end of daily searches, some students think it's worth looking for patterns in other cases.

"It's probably three or four hours away from here. If there's nothing else, it's worth looking at, if they haven't found anything else yet," said student Chris Robbins.

"Any bit of information could be important, of course. They look so similar, identical," said student Wesley McKinney.

And it's not just these two women, other students missing around the country fit the same description.http://www.wthr.com/story/14994158/s...s-to-tenn-case