MONTEZUMA, Iowa - Law enforcement agents admit that it is frustrating to the public and news media that they won't confirm or deny details in the search for missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts.
More than a dozen law enforcement vehicles turned out for a search near a pig farm Thursday afternoon. But, Iowa Department of Public Safety Director of Investigations Kevin Winker wouldn't confirm reports that a red shirt had been found in the area, leading to the search.
"It's a delicate balance with this information." Winker said in a live press conference Friday morning in Montezuma, Iowa. "But, we believe this is the right approach. We're going to stay with this approach."
"We recognize that it's frustrating for everyone involved, but we believe it gives us the best opportunity to resolve this investigation." Winker replied to a question from a news reporter on why law enforcement would give out no new information.
Fox News reports that a person mowing lawn found the item of clothing near the Lincoln Wildfire Reserve. It was not immediately clear whose shirt it was.
Tibbetts works at a day care center where employees wear red shirts.Fox News reports that a person mowing lawn found the item of clothing near the Lincoln Wildfire Reserve. It was not immediately clear whose shirt it was. Tibbetts works at a day care center where employees wear red shirts.
Search teams were photographed looking through ditches about a mile away from the reserve, near the same farm that FBI investigators were said to have searched for nearly two hours last week.
Tibbetts has been missing more than two weeks. She was last seen jogging in Brooklyn, Iowa only a few miles from the two pig farms and surrounding areas that have been searched.