Police dog used in search for missing woman

Sedalia police officers searched a field Thursday looking for clues in a woman’s disappearance 12 days ago, said Police Chief John DeGonia.

Investigators returned from Atlanta, where they interviewed a 34-year-old man described as a “person of interest” in the disappearance of Dana Bruce, 23. Officers searched an area where the man worked here, but hadn’t come up with any signs of Bruce early Thursday evening. Police did not identify the man.

A family member reported Bruce missing Oct. 5. Police said Bruce had gone to Malone’s on Main, 117 W. Main St., on Oct. 4, left with a man, and paid a baby sitter to watch her two children for the rest of the evening. She never returned home.

DeGonia said officers are “conducting searches of different areas in town, just to be thorough.” The man worked for Pro Energy as a welder and pipefitter.

DeGonia said officers had “no specific information” about Bruce being at the man’s job site.

“We’re just being thorough in our investigation,” he said. “The gentleman worked at Pro Energy. It would be a prudent thing to do to look around where he worked.”

Pro Energy has “cooperated fully with us, with anything we’ve needed,” DeGonia said. Officers searched about 90 acres.

The Sedalia Police Department’s dog was used in the search. The dog, Demo, is trained to track people. Officers are using a piece of Bruce’s clothing to give the dog her scent.

The man remained in Atlanta. Sedalia officers interviewed him and took items from his vehicle and travel trailer to analyze. He has not been arrested or charged in the disappearance of Bruce.

The man was arrested in Atlanta on charges of driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana, DeGonia said.