Updates on the Investigation

Sunday's search efforts include helicopter, jetskis, and divers combing the area where Laura disappeared. Alex Air has generously sponsored a helicopter to search the coastline by air, and a dedicated contingent of Laura's friends and Maui neighbors continue to scour the ground and the water for any sign of Laura.

The latest press includes an Albuquerque Journal story of Laura's disappearance in Sunday's paper: Mystery in Maui.

The Vogel family is extremely grateful for the efforts of everyone who has spread the word about Laura's disappearance, offered media contacts, shared tips about the circumstances surrounding the case, donated funds to support the ongoing search, and otherwise offered their help in finding Laura. Although her last communication indicated that she was meeting people near her campsite, no one who was with her that night has been identified yet.

We appreciate any consideration of How You Can Help.

Tsunami Threat Has Passed, Investigation Continues

Fortunately, the tsunami threat that diverted attention today from the investigation into Laura's disappearance has passed without significant incident. Hopefully, the investigation can continue with the momentum that was building before the tsunami diversion.

This ABC/WPBF story has more on-the-ground news from Laura's brother Tim:
Family Still Searching for Missing Woman in Hawaii

News Updates

As you may have heard, a tsunami is expected to hit Hawaii today around 11 AM (4 PM EST). This will undoubtedly affect search efforts.

More information can be found here:
Tsunami warning in effect for Hawaii
Hawaii Evacuations Begin for Tsunami Warning

In the meantime, here's another article about the search for Laura from Hawaii News Now (KGMB/KHNL):
Family steps up search for missing Maui camper

Also, if you would like to Donate to the Find Laura Vogel Fund, please follow the directions in that post. Many thanks!

Laura's Case No. with Maui Police

Here is more specific information about who in the Criminal Investigations Division is working on Laura's case. If you have any information at all, please call Detective Callinan or Lt. Jakubczak at the Maui Police Department at (808) 244-6400 and refer to case number 10-14126.

Also, the press coverage on CNN Headline News last night includes an interview with Laura's brother Tim Vogel: Mystery in Paradise.

In addition, the latest Vogel family interview can be found on KITV:
Search for Missing Woman on Maui Suspended, Laura Vogel's Family Says They Continue to Search

As any of Laura's friends and relatives would contend, the search is far from over.

Donate to the Find Laura Vogel Fund

We are collecting donations to help with the search for Laura.

If you would like to make a secure contribution, you can do so through PayPal in two ways:

1) Preferred Method - If you have a PayPal account, follow these instructions:

• Log into your PayPal account.
  
• Click on the Send Money tab.
  
• Enter this e-mail address: findlauravogel@gmail.com
• Enter the amount you would like to donate.
  
• Click on the Personal tab and check Other.
• Click Continue.
  

PayPal charges a 3% commission if your account is associated with a credit card, but if it's directly associated with your bank account, there is no fee.

2) Alternative Method - If you do not have a PayPal account, you can click the button below to use your credit card directly (a fee will be charged). Follow these instructions:

• Enter the amount you would like to donate.
• Click Update Total.
  
• Where it says, "Don't Have a Paypal Account?," click Continue.
• Fill in your credit card information and click Review Donation and Continue.
  

Even the smallest donations are appreciated. We are so grateful for everyone's support!

Many thanks!

Coverage on CNN Headline News

Laura's brother Tim Vogel did a great job representing efforts to find Laura in an interview today on CNN's Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell. The transcript of the entire program is here. The Laura Vogel story begins with "Up next, missing in paradise..." The video is available here.

How You Can Help

There are several key ways people can be helpful to this investigation:

1) If you have any information that might contribute to efforts to find Laura, please send it to findlauravogel@gmail.com or call the private tip line at 1-888-524-0218.

2) If you have any access to media contacts who might help increase visibility for this case, please share that information as well.

3) Sharing this blog with as many people as possible can help to spread the word about the investigation and increase its visibility.

4) Becoming a fan of the "Find Laura Vogel" Facebook page also helps to communicate how many people are interested in finding Laura.

5) Please Donate to the Find Laura Vogel Fund, which helps the Vogel family defray mounting expenses for this ongoing investigation.

First National Coverage of Laura's Disappearance Tonight on CNN

The first national coverage concerning Laura's disappearance airs tonight on CNN Headline News at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell will speak to Tim Vogel, younger brother of Laura Vogel, by phone from Maui. Please spread the word!

Today is the Vogel family's first full day on the island and they are conducting their own ground search for Laura. Police are searching with the tracking dogs.

Search and Rescue Dogs Due Out This Morning

The search and rescue dogs obtained by the Vogel family arrived yesterday and are due to be put to work today in the search for Laura.

In addition, an article about Laura's disappearance has been published today in the Honolulu Advertiser: Foul play feared in woman's disappearance.

Updates

Tracking dogs arrived in Maui this afternoon, and we are hoping that they will help to turn up something. Laura's family has arrived in Maui to help with the search and get some answers.

Here is some additional news coverage:
CBS CRIMESIDER: Laura Vogel, Missing in Maui: Avid Surfer, Camper, Disappears on Solo Camping Trip

Laura's Family en Route to Hawaii

Here is some recent news coverage of Laura's family in pursuit of information about her disappearance:

Jupiter Man Travels to Hawaii in Search of Missing Sister

New Mexico Woman Missing in Hawaii

Investigating Phone Records

The latest information we have is from Laura's cell phone records. They revealed that two calls to a specific number were made after her disappearance. This was not a number in Laura's phone and the voice on the VM greeting was a tough sounding male unlike any of Laura's friends.

Help Us Find Laura Vogel

Laura Vogel is a beautiful, vibrant 43 year old woman who has been missing since Sunday night, February 21, 2010 from the Pauwela Lighthouse area near Ha'iku in Maui, Hawaii. She left a friend's house at 5:30 pm that evening to go camping, and her last known communication was at approximately 8 pm that evening when she texted a friend, saying, "I'm camped down the way from the birthing pools and meeting all the locals." She did not return texts after that time. On Monday morning when she did not show up for her job at 9 AM friends began to worry. At noon the friends hiked down to find her van at the birthing pools. The driver's side door was open, the key was in the ignition, and the van started up. Contents of the van appeared intact but Laura was nowhere to be found, and her wallet and cell phone were gone as well.

There has been a massive hunt for Laura around the cliffs and woods for days. Yesterday the back half of what is believed to be her cell phone was found near a homeless camp close to where her van was found.

The following news story presented last night on ABC News can be seen online at kitv.com:

Family Seeks Help Finding Woman

The following article was published yesterday in the Maui News:

Woman disappears after leaving for camping trip

Stories persist that people have gone missing from this exact location for years.

Laura's family is currently trying to get Hawaii Canine Rescue to send a dog to Maui from Oahu to continue the search.

Any help or information you can provide is vital. If you have information about Laura's whereabouts please call the Criminal Investigation Division at 808-244-6425 during regular business hours or 808-244-6500 after hours.