Police in Dickinson are actively searching for three college students who vanished on November 1, 2009. Ashley Neufeld, 21, of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada; Afton Williamson, 20, of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; Kyrstin Gemar, 22, of Grossmont, Calf. are all students at Dickinson University. All three girls play for the University’s softball team.
According to Constance Walter, Director of Communications for the University, one of the females lived on campus, and the other two lived in off campus housing. There are 2,760 students who attend this university, to include on-line students. Constance told me the students parents are all in town right now, and on campus, pulling together to help find their children. One of the students, Afton Williamson is a newly transferred student from California. Last night, students on campus at Dickinson University arranged a spontaneous prayer service.
According to an investigator with the Dickinson Police I spoke with this afternoon, the females were last heard from on 11:18 p.m. when they made a call to a friend for help. According to an official press release, “The call was very scratchy and consisted of a call for help, and they mentioned they were near a lake and water… the call only lasted 40 seconds. One minute later, another call was made that lasted approximately 30 seconds.” The phone cut out, and the cell phone has not been in service since the last call made. Investigators are working diligently, and called on the expertise of a cell phone examiner who put the signal north of Dickinson.
Police say the public has been great with calling in sightings, but unfortunately none have panned out at this time. The students have not been located and investigators still need your tips to find them. An air and ground search is taking place as I type this. The Dickinson Police Department is requesting that any professional search agency willing to donate time or services contact them directly.
Police say there have been a lot of sightings, but none are confirmed at this time. Although none of the tips received thus far have panned out, the police still need your help. Because of the vast terrain in North Dakota, investigators are searching by air, and on the ground.
If you have any information, please call the Dickinson Police: (701) 456-7759
Third paragraph – revise beginning with second sentence: This would read:
The students have not been located and investigators still need your tips to find them. An air and ground search is taking place as I type this.
The Dickinson Police Department is requesting that any professional search agency willing to donate time or services contact them directly.
Tags: missing people, police, searching, students missing, university of dickinson
