Missing Chrisandra Williams believed found in Rosiclare
A red sport-utility vehicle was located in the water at the Rosiclare riverfront and was extracted from the Ohio River waters by two tow trucks late Thursday afternoon.
The family was briefed by law enforcement and the family later stated that the body of missing Shawneetown resident Chrisandra "Chrissy" Williams, 39, was found in the vehicle. Authorities had not confirmed the identity as of Thursday evening.
"We found her, we never gave up!" shouted Chrisandra's sister Tami Jackson.
Williams was last seen about 9 p.m. Dec. 2 in Rosiclare. She was driving a red 2011 Ford Escape with the license plate 1189917.
The vehicle pulled out of the river Thursday was a red Ford SUV matching that description.
Thursday the scene by the Rosiclare riverfront was one of anxious expectation as a diver helped hook the located SUV to tow truck cables. Anxiety gave way to grief as the family was informed by law enforcement a body was inside the vehicle.
A crowd approaching 100 in number gathered on top of the levee overlooking the park by the river. The orderly crowd of onlookers - asked to separate from the family by law enforcement - ranged in age from babes in arms to senior citizens. They were told by law enforcement that they could go no closer to the river bank. The top of the levee was about 100 yards from where the vehicle was eventually pulled out.
The SUV was wrapped in a canvas tarp once it was positioned on the flatbed tow truck.
Authorities and volunteers conducted a months-long search of bodies of water, hollows, wooded areas, cemeteries and deserted farms in the search for Williams. Hardin County Sheriff's Department, FBI from the Marion and Springfield offices, Hardin County Emergency Management Agency, Gallatin County Sheriff's Department, Shawneetown Police, Illinois Department of Natural Resources river units, Johnston County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, Livingston County, Ky., Sheriff's Office, the United States Coast Guard, area firefighters, Morganfield, Ky., Job Corps and Little Egypt Search and Rescue were among agencies that participated in the search since December.
Team Watters Sonar Search & Recovery of Moro located the vehicle Thursday.