Missouri Missing voices new hope

Ohio case illustrates 'why we never, ever give up'

This composite image of missing persons' photographs graces the home page of MissouriMissing.org.
This composite image of missing persons' photographs graces the home page of MissouriMissing.org.

The three women found in Ohio this week after being reported missing for several years gives newfound hope to one of the founders of a missing persons group in Mid-Missouri.

Marianne Asher-Chapman helped establish Missouri Missing in 2007.

Her daughter, Angie Yarnell, went missing from her home in Ivy Bend in October 2003. Yarnell's husband was sentenced to seven years in prison for involuntary manslaughter for her death.

"Just last night a mother called me excited about maybe her daughter could be discovered out there, too," Asher-Chapman said. "This lady is 80 years old, and her girl has been gone for 29 years. Still, every time I talk with her, she shares with me how she sometimes dreams of her daughter walking in the front door, to this day."

Missouri Missing not only organizes tributes and memorials, but some of their volunteers help law enforcement in search efforts on databases to find missing and unidentified people.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports there are 621 active missing adult cases, some going back to the 1970s.

The patrol also has 368 active missing juvenile cases, some dating back to the "80s.

"Even I, with never finding my daughter's remains, I still hold out hope she is alive, simply because I have no proof," Asher-Chapman said. "It is a valid notion, I hope people can see. I guess this is a prime example as to why we never, ever give up."

Web links:

MissouriMissing.org

Missouri Highway Patrol's missing persons map