Searching for Answers

Thanks to Lee Cataluna for her well written story in today's Honolulu Advertiser: Family's agonizing search goes on. It captures Laura's beautiful spirit, as well as her family's continued heartbreak at her mysterious disappearance and their persistent quest for answers.

The ongoing investigation is focused on locating the people who were with Laura the night she disappeared and learning from them what happened to her. The family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading them to find Laura. Anyone who knows anyone who might have been at the Pauwela Lighthouse on Sunday, February 21st is urged to share that information through any of these channels:

• Maui Police: 808-244-6400 (Case #10-14126)
• Anonymous tip lines:
  • Maui Crime Stoppers 808-242-6966
  • Private Tip Line 888-524-0218
• Private e-mail: findlauravogel@gmail.com

Hope remains that someone with useful knowledge and a good heart like Laura's will help to solve this case. Many thanks to the kind and resourceful Maui community for rallying on Laura's behalf!

Open Letter

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF MAUI
FROM THE FAMILY OF LAURA VOGEL

Through the tragedy of our daughter’s/sister’s disappearance, our family was privileged to meet the wonderful people of Maui. You opened your hearts and homes to us. With the outpouring of homemade meals, groceries, gift cards, restaurant meals and cash donations you showed us your care and concern for Laura and our family. Thanks to all of the searchers who devoted so much of their time combing the land, sea, and air for any clues to her whereabouts.

Your prayers sustained us and helped us retain our faith and belief that we would be successful in our search for answers to what happened to our beloved Laura.

You showed us how many good friends Laura made during her short time on your beautiful island. We are humbled by the obvious impact she had on those she met and embraced while she was here.

Our goal throughout our stay on Maui is to find Laura and take her home. Our sincere hope is that her disappearance will in some way effect a positive change in the landscape that is Maui.

We know Laura as a teacher, avid hiker, camper, surfer, stargazer, birder, tree hugger, nature lover, and lover of life, which is all reflected in her receiving her Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology. We know that she was distressed by the amount of trash that has accumulated on the trails and shorelines of this island paradise.

She was always very involved in volunteering her time to organizations that work with the U.S. Forest Service to build and maintain trails, install wildlife watering holes and update trail signs, among other important projects.

If you wish to honor Laura, please consider donating some of your free time to ecological projects. This could be as simple as reduce, reuse, recycle or as time-intensive as picking up the trash off the highways and byways of your neighborhood. Teach your children to respect their surroundings and protect this planet of ours. In that way, you will be carrying on work that Laura was passionate about.

Thank you again for all of your assistance, whether large or small. It all means a great deal to us, Laura’s family.

The Vogels

Fundraising and Media Updates

There will be a brief mention of Laura's disappearance on America's Most Wanted this Saturday, 3/27/10 at 9 PM EST on FOX. Also, look out for stories about Laura to be published this week in the Honolulu Advertiser and the Maui Weekly.

Interest in Laura's case continues to spread. The number of visitors to this blog has passed 6500, and the number of fans of the Find Laura Vogel Facebook Page has grown above 4000. Many of the people involved in the search for Laura have never met her, but are inspired by the multitude of stories about Laura's abundant care for people, animals, and the planet we share.

To raise funds for the search for Laura, there is a racquetball shootout today (Friday, 3/26/10) at Riverpoint Sports and Wellness in Albuquerque, NM starting at 5 PM. Entrance fees are $40 per team, with all proceeds going to help find Laura. Tournament organizer Alicia Blaakman invites anyone interested to contact her at rballgirly@gmail.com. She has people looking for partners and equipment to share. She will also be selling window decals for a $5 minimum donation. There will be a similar event in Las Cruces in April. Stay tuned for more details.

Police continue to investigate Laura's case. They are very interested in speaking with those who were with her the night she disappeared or anyone else who may have information about what happened to her. Updates will be posted as soon as they are available.

The family is still offering a $10,000 reward for information leading them to find Laura Vogel. If you have any knowledge of where she might be, please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com or call any of these numbers:

• Maui Police at 808-244-6400 (Case #10-14126),
• Maui Crime Stoppers at 808-242-6966,
  
• Find Laura Vogel Private Tip Line at 1-888-524-0218.

Donations to the Find Laura Vogel Fund continue to to help the Vogel family finance efforts to find her. To contribute, please click the yellow Donate button in the right hand sidebar.

Mahalo!

Great Show of Aloha

Although Sunday's massive search did not result in finding Laura, it elicited a cascade of aloha on her behalf. Gene Robinson and Texas Equusearch provided valuable specialized search technology and expertise. Dedicated supporters worked tirelessly making calls, sending e-mails, and distributing flyers to spread the word about the search. A wide array of community volunteers turned out for searches at 9 AM and 1:30 PM. They spent hours in the hot sun bushwhacking through harsh terrain in the hope of finding some sign of Laura. Off-duty firefighters and military personnel kindly lent their skills to the search. Local businesses generously donated food and supplies, including the Pukalani Starbucks, Flat Bread Pizza, and Home Depot. In the face of enormous challenges, the show of community spirit in honor of Laura has been heartening and inspiring. Mahalo nui loa to all who participated.

Press coverage of the latest search efforts:
Search for Missing Maui Woman Intensifies (KITV)

Calling All Searchers!

Major search efforts are taking place this weekend on Maui. An aerial surveillance operation is in progress today (Saturday), and the search team is focused on organizing tomorrow's comprehensive search effort. If you are on Maui, your help is very much needed! If you can volunteer 2-3 hours of your time to search for Laura on Sunday, please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com with contact information and your preferred search time. Search parties are meeting at the Ha'iku Community Center on Hana Highway 9 AM and 1:30 PM.

Searchers are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toe shoes. They should bring sunscreen, a cell phone, a day pack, and a long stick, walking stick, or pole, if available. Water and snacks are being donated by Costco, coffee is being donated by Starbucks, and lunch is being donated by Flat Bread Pizza. Mahalo to these local businesses for their generous support, and to all those who have already volunteered for this important event.

More people are needed! If you can gather some friends, colleagues, church group members, or any other people you know to join tomorrow's efforts, you will be making an important contribution to this critical search. You can also post and/or distribute this "Volunteers Needed" flyer in public places. Laura's family greatly appreciates the widespread aloha spirit being extended toward them during this challenging time.

Recent media updates of Laura's disappearance cover the Maui Police Dept.'s questioning of the man who owns the phone last called from Laura's cell phone:

'Person of Interest' Questioned in Missing Woman Case (KITV)

Authorities Bring in Person of Interest for Questioning in Laura Vogel Case (ABCNews.com)

Sunday's Search

A major coordinated search for Laura will take place Sunday, March 21st, 2010 in the area where she disappeared in Maui. Professional search experts will be guiding these efforts. Search parties will meet at the Ha'iku Community Center on Hana Highway at 9:00 AM and 1:3o PM. Searchers are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toe shoes. They should bring water, snacks, a cell phone, a day pack, and a long stick, walking stick, or pole, if available. Please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com if you can help with either of these searches. Mahalo!

Many Helping Hands

Laura's family has reached out to a number of professional organizations who have come together to help with the search (Trinity Search & Recovery, Texas Equusearch, and 3 View Search Services). Texas Equusearch will be flying a professional to Maui from Texas this Friday, March 19, 2010. He will be bringing specialized surveillance technology to aid in the search. Family and friends are also organizing a large ground search of the area for Sunday to follow up on information gathered. There will be two shifts (morning and afternoon) and volunteers are needed to help with the search. Details will be posted on this blog as soon as available. Please email your contact info to findlauravogel@gmail.com if you can participate.

The family continues to plead with the public for any information regarding Laura's whereabouts or her activities on the night she disappeared. They are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to finding Laura.

Anyone with information that might lead to finding Laura is urged to pass it along through any of these channels:

• Maui Police: 808-244-6400 (Case #10-14126)
• Anonymous tip lines:
  • Maui Crime Stoppers 808-242-6966
  • Private Tip Line 888-524-0218
  Private e-mail: findlauravogel@gmail.com

New Mexico friends are invited to join a Racquetball Shootout Fundraiser at Riverpoint Sports & Wellness (Albuquerque) on Friday, March 26th from 4:00-8:30 pm. Advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels are welcome. If interested, please contact Alicia Blaakman (rballgirly@gmail.com) and let her know your earliest starting time and your doubles partner. Please sign up by Wednesday March 24th, 8 pm. Participants are asked for a $40 donation per team. All proceeds go to Laura's search.

Mahalo once again to all those who have so generously offered your support and assistance!

Update from the Maui Police Department

Yesterday the Maui Police released some information regarding the investigation through Laura's brother: "The police have located the owner of the cell phone that was the last number dialed from Laura's phone the night of her disappearance, and this individual has been brought in for questioning. The investigation continues in search of definitive forensic evidence. In addition, the FBI has been and continues to be involved and is providing assistance to the Maui Police department as required."

The Vogel family continues to work around the clock toward finding Laura. Visibility on the case is increasing on Maui due to the distribution of flyers by many helpful individuals. Visitors to this blog have topped 5000, hailing from over 50 countries. Hawaii's Senator Inouye and the Governor of Hawaii's Maui Liaison, George Kaya, are aware of the police department's efforts regarding the search. The family is working with professional search groups, arranging for detailed aerial photography of the search area, and scheduling dog teams to return. The media are being kept informed of any and all developments through regular press releases. Also, members of the immediate family have remained on Maui since Laura's disappearance to work in conjunction with police.

Search teams are still very much needed daily. Even if an area has already been searched, that does not mean that forensic evidence leading to Laura is not there. Organizational help in search efforts is increasingly important, and if anyone in Maui is available to help coordinate, please send an email to findlauravogel@gmail.com with your contact information. Mahalo!

Latest press coverage from CBS News/48Hours/CRIMESIDER:
Laura Vogel Missing: Cops Call Off Search While Family Fears "Foul Play"

No Sign from Dive

Expert divers searched the water near the Pauwela Lighthouse for hours on Friday but found no clues to Laura's disappearance. Though the weather was perfect, the ocean was still a bit rough at this beautiful spot near where Laura was last known to be.

Thanks to the kind efforts of many, many people, awareness of Laura's disappearance continues to grow. Laura's family is committed to finding out what happened to her, and the more people who know that, the more likely it is that someone with information will come forward. The Vogels are grateful to each and every person who has passed on the word that Laura is missing. It's important that we all continue the endeavor until she is found.

Hot Off the Presses

Laura's story has made the home page of ABCNews.com:
Family Keeping Search Alive for Missing Camper Laura Vogel

There's also an update in the Maui News:
Family offers reward for info that leads to finding woman

And at KITV.com:
Family Offers Reward for Missing Woman on Maui

Full Steam Ahead

The investigation into Laura's disappearance is still in full gear. Since Laura was with people the night she disappeared, the focus is on identifying and speaking with those people who may have information about her whereabouts. Police are pursuing leads, questioning people, and working with the Vogel family to solve the mystery of what happened to Laura.

A team of highly skilled divers is launching an ocean search at 7 AM this morning (Friday) near where Laura was last known to be. Ground searches and clean-up efforts in the area also continue. Tracking dogs are being enlisted to return and search areas not yet covered.

Anyone on Maui who would like to help can print and circulate this Laura Vogel Missing flyer anywhere on the island. For example, it's helpful to have people distributing flyers at festivals, community gatherings, and other public events or posting the flyer in stores, gas stations, or other public places.

A grassroots network of people interested in finding Laura has been growing, and many people who have not met Laura have joined the campaign to find her. Fans of the Find Laura Vogel Facebook Page continue to build community around Laura, even in her absence:

• "What really has made Laura so real and alive and compelling to me is this [FB] page. It is all of you who have posted your anecdotes and favorite Laura pictures, and have shared your hearts with those of us who have not had the privilege of knowing her first-hand. That is why I joined the search party the other day: I feel her in all of you, and that has made her so real to me."

• "I, too, wish I had the privilege of knowing Laura before all of this happened. All of the stories and love that is being shown for her proves what an absolutely wonderful person she must be and how blessed are the ones who call her a friend. It's hard to not be moved by all of the love and want to do anything in your power to help bring her back."

The family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading them to find Laura Vogel. If you have any knowledge of where she might be, please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com or call any of these numbers:

• Maui Police at 808-244-6400 (Case #10-14126),
• Maui Crime Stoppers at 808-242-6966,
  
• Find Laura Vogel Private Tip Line at 1-888-524-0218.

Donations to the Find Laura Vogel Fund continue to to help the Vogel family finance efforts to find her. To contribute, please click the yellow Donate button in the right hand sidebar.

Mahalo nui loa, everyone!

Recruiting Searchers

Leads continue to come in, and volunteers continue to search for Laura.

Searchers are needed today (Thursday). Please meet Nicole Sanchez at the Haiku Community Center parking lot at 1:45 pm. Wear long jeans and gloves and bring a long stick and a machete or axe. More people are needed, so if you can help, even if only for a hour or so, please call Nicole at 808-205-2366. Areas previously searched by fire and rescue crews and tracking dogs are indicated on the maps above.

A dive search will take place Friday morning. People are needed to help spot divers on land.

Maui residents are encouraged to download, print, and circulate this Laura Vogel MISSING poster/flyer as widely as possible.

Working Together to Find Laura

The love and support for Laura pouring in from friends and strangers alike continues to give the family strength as they press forward with the search.

Search efforts continue by land and sea. Six to eight highly qualified divers and a boat are ready to go out on Friday, weather permitting. Rotating land search crews are still combing the area where Laura disappeared. Other plans include bringing search dogs back to cover additional territory.

Word is spreading far and wide about Laura's case. This blog has been read by over 4000 people around the world, and fans of the Find Laura Vogel Facebook Page number over 3500. Testimonials about Laura's gifts as a science teacher, environmentalist, athlete, and beloved friend cover the virtual wall. New Mexican residents have been contacting Governor Richardson's office to raise awareness of Laura's disappearance and enlist help from the governor's office in finding her. A variety of organizations have become engaged in helping with the search.

The family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading them to find Laura Vogel. If you have any knowledge of where she might be, please call the Maui Police at 808-244-6400 (Case #10-14126) or the private tip line at 1-888-524-0218 or e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com.

Donations to the Find Laura Vogel Fund continue to to help the Vogel family finance efforts to find her. To contribute, please click the yellow Donate button in the right hand sidebar.

Enormous thanks to everyone who has played a part in helping to find Laura!

Search Continues

The search for Laura continues. Maui searchers are invited to meet at 9 AM today (Monday) at the Haiku Community Center. They should wear clothing to protect them from the switch grass (e.g., long-sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes, gardening or work gloves) and bring a machete and a megaphone, if available. Those who cannot search today are encouraged to spread the word about Laura any way they can.

Investigators are pursuing a number of leads, and the campaign to increase awareness of Laura's disappearance across the island and beyond is ongoing. Anyone on Maui reading this is encouraged to print, post and/or distribute this Laura Vogel MISSING poster/flyer as widely as possible. The more people who know Laura is missing, the better. Please consider posting the flyer at stores, gas stations, libraries, and other community gathering spots and distributing it at public events. It is our aim that every citizen of Maui is aware of Laura's disappearance in the hope that someone will come forward with information that leads to finding out what happened to her. If you know anything that might shed light on the mystery of her disappearance, please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com or call the Maui Police at 808-244-6400 (Case #10-14126) or the private tip line at 1-888-524-0218.

Sharing this blog via e-mail, Facebook, or other web sites helps to build awareness of the campaign to locate Laura. If you wish to make a donation to the Find Laura Vogel Fund, to help the Vogel family defray costs of the search, please click the yellow Donate button in the right hand sidebar.

As always, Laura's family is eternally grateful to everyone who has supported efforts to find her.

Honoring Laura Through Action

People who have known and loved Laura have been honoring her through dedicated celebrations and positive action on behalf of the environment. Those whose lives have been positively affected by Laura are finding ways to "pay it forward," from planting seeds, flowers, and trees in Laura's name to dedicating hiking trails and musical performances to her. These are perfect ways to celebrate Laura's exuberance for the joys of living on planet earth.

An About Laura Vogel page on this blog includes basic facts about her disappearance and some suggestions for how people can support efforts to find out what happened to her. For those in Maui, there is a Laura Vogel MISSING poster/flyer that can be downloaded, printed, and circulated all over the island.

The search team in Maui has spent the last two days distributing flyers to get Laura's face in front of as many people as possible. They are working on getting dogs back to search areas that may not have been covered before and coordinating a big clean-up/search effort in the area where Laura went missing.

Laura's family greatly appreciates every contribution toward the search for Laura, no matter how great or small. There is power in numbers, and that power is fueling the quest for answers about what happened to Laura. Thanks to all who have participated!

Light in the Darkness

Another candlelight vigil was held for Laura in Las Cruces, NM Friday night. Coming together to share stories about Laura and build solidarity has brought solace to many who are troubled by her disappearance.

The investigation is pressing forward in Maui. Family and friends are still searching the location of Laura's disappearance for any sign of her, and new leads are being pursued every day. Word of Laura's disappearance continues to spread through press coverage as well as through social networking media. Thanks to everyone who has joined the growing community of people sharing their support for Laura and their interest in the ongoing investigation into her disappearance. Every single voice helps!

Rio Rancho Journal:
Woman Missing in Maui Was the 'Greatest Teacher'

Maui News:
Probe ongoing in case of missing woman, 43

Illumination

Friends and family whose lives have been brightened by Laura have been lighting candles in her honor at vigils both public and private.

A crowd of over 100 gathered Thursday night in Rio Rancho, NM for a candlelight vigil to shine more light on Laura and the importance of solving the mystery of her disappearance. On a beautiful New Mexico night, people came together to share stories about Laura, her zest for life, and the lives she has touched.

A candlelight vigil in Las Cruces, NM is scheduled for Friday 3/5 at 6:30 PM at the Soccer Complex by Mayfield High School.

KRQE's coverage of 3/4/10 vigil in Rio Rancho, NM:
Vigil held for missing woman from ABQ

KITV's coverage of 3/3/10 vigil in Maui:
Candlelight Vigil for Missing Maui Woman

Interest in Laura's case continues to grow, reaching around the world. To date, thousands of visitors to this blog include people from 38 countries. Find Laura Vogel Facebook page fans number over 3000. Awareness of Laura's disappearance is constantly increasing, which we hope will help shine more light on what has happened to her.

Laura's family continues to probe for results from the investigation into her mysterious disappearance and to raise money to fund these efforts. If you have any information that might help us figure out what has happened to Laura, please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com or call the private tip line at 1-888-524-0218. If you wish to make a donation to the Find Laura Vogel Fund, please click on the yellow Donate button in the sidebar on the right.

Thanks to everyone who has joined the crusade to FIND LAURA VOGEL! We are committed to solving this mystery, and together, we will.

Tributes to Laura

Last night, Laura's friends and family in Maui and around the world lit candles in Laura's honor. A candlelight vigil was held at dusk at the site where Laura disappeared near the Pauwela lighthouse in Maui.

Another candlelight vigil in support of the ongoing search for Laura will be held today (Thursday) at 6:30 PM in Rio Rancho, New Mexico at the Rio Vista Park (1620 Riverside Drive, NE, off of 528 in Rivers Edge 2). Participants are encouraged to bring candles, luminaria, and/or flashlights to show their love and support for Laura.

Today's Las Cruces Sun-News reports on Laura's disappearance:
Former Mayfield coach goes missing

Once again, if you have any information that might help us find Laura, please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com or call the private tip line at 1-888-524-0218. If you wish to make a donation to the Find Laura Vogel Fund, click on the yellow Donate button in the sidebar on the right. Thanks to all those participating in the ever-growing network of Laura Vogel supporters!

Candlelight Vigil in Maui Tonight

Friends and family are having a candlelight vigil in Maui down at Pauwela lighthouse tonight at 6:30 PM (HST) to celebrate Laura Vogel. Maui residents, please come out to show your support.

Participants should gather at the Haiku Community Center between 6:00 and 6:15 PM. The community center is located at the corner of Pauwela & Hana Hwy. A crowd of 200-300 is hoped for, so PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD on Maui.

Please bring a candle, but if you do not have one COME ANYWAY; one will be provided to you. Numbers are important and your presence will be incredibly appreciated by the Vogel family.

For those who cannot be there in person, please light a candle for Laura at home during the time of the vigil. Those who are not in Hawaii may also want to light a candle for Laura at the same time (6:30 PM HST is 11:30 EST.)

A NEW PRIVATE TIP LINE has been established. The number is 1-888-524-0218

Also, the latest news article is on the front page of CNN.com:
Maui police: Hiker's disappearance 'suspicious'

Making Progress

Thanks to the generous support of many good citizens in Maui and around the country, the investigation into Laura's disappearance is making significant progress. Leads are coming in, being followed, and bringing investigators closer to solving the mystery of what happened to Laura.

If you have any information that might help us find Laura, please e-mail findlauravogel@gmail.com or call the Maui police at (808) 244-6400 or the private tip line at 1-888-524-0218. Thanks to those who have shared what they know already. Your efforts are making a real difference for Laura and thousands of people who care about her.

There have been thousands of visits to this blog, and the "Find Laura Vogel" Facebook page has thousands of fans. The more people who know about Laura's case, the more likely we are to find out what happened to her. Please help raise awareness of Laura's disappearance by sharing this blog and inviting people to become Facebook fans.

On the ground in the area where Laura was last known to be, friends and neighbors continue to search for any sign of Laura. Efforts to search nearby sea caves are also underway. Brave and dedicated searchers are leaving no stone unturned (or cliff unscaled) in their quest to find Laura.

Laura's story continues to be covered by local and national media, which is also very helpful in raising awareness of Laura's disappearance. For a list of stories with information about the search for Laura, see Media Coverage of Laura Vogel Case.

The Vogel family is extremely grateful to all those who have donated to the Find Laura Vogel Fund. Your contributions are critical to funding the ongoing search for Laura.

It's clear that widespread love for Laura is fueling the crusade to find her in many ways. Mahalo!!!

The Location of Laura's Disappearance

This is the area where Laura went missing:



View Larger Map

Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell - Headline News 7 pm

CNN Headline News' Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell will once again cover the story of Laura's disappearance at 7 pm tonight (EST) with new interviews and comments.

Here is the clip of the update on Laura's story:
War on Women: Mystery in Paradise (update)

Fox Coverage and Request for Fishermen

Recent coverage of the investigation into Laura's mysterious disappearance includes today's Fox News story:

Police Suspend Search for Hiker in Hawaii; Family Suspects 'Foul Play'

If anyone knows any Maui, fishermen please send an e-mail to findlauravogel@gmail.com.

To join an online community of who care about Laura, become a fan of the "Find Laura Vogel" Facebook page.

Case Listed at America's Most Wanted

Laura has been listed as a Missing Person with America's Most Wanted:
Missing: Avid Camper Disappears Off Maui Shore

AMW says, "If you have any information on the disappearance of Laura Vogel, call our Hotline at 1-800-CRIME-TV."

Search Updates

Many, many thanks to all those who have generously donated to the Find Laura Vogel Fund. Your contributions are vital to solving the mystery of what happened to Laura.

Despite a dedicated "human net" of searchers fanning out across the area where Laura disappeared Sunday by air, land, and sea, nothing more was found. Police are following every lead to try to find out who was with Laura the night she disappeared. If you have any information at all that might lead to a discovery about Laura's whereabouts, please call Detective Callinan or Lt. Jakubczak at the Maui Police Department at (808) 244-6400 and refer to case number 10-14126 or send an e-mail to findlauravogel@gmail.com.

Today's search starts at 8 AM, and searchers are looking for fishermen and trackers from the area. If you know any, please call (808) 572-0970.

Here is KITV's last story on the search for Laura:
Maui Police Continue Missing Woman Investigation

And here is the story of Laura's disappearance on CNN Headline News Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell: Mystery in Paradise.

Mahalo to all who are contributing to efforts to find Laura!