There is an active Amber Alert for Porshia Atwell, 8, of Camp Creek, West Virginia, after her father abducted her from her home, after allegedly killing her mother, reports WVNSTV news.
Porshia’s father, Tracey Lee Atwell, 38, entered the home of his parents on Beckley Road in the Spanishburg area on Thursday afternoon and told them that he had killed his wife (Porshia’s mother). He then tied his parent’s up, robbed them and took Porshia, who was living in the home.
http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html
“It is believe that Tracy Atwell tied up his parents, robbed and stole their 1999 white Grand Cherokee Laredo,” Sgt. J.A. Amos with the West Virginia State Police said. “He then abducted his eight-year-old daughter. His parents had custody of her at the time. He advised his parents he had killed his wife before he robbed them. I do not know his parents condition at this time, but they were able to talk with police when they arrived on scene. When police responded to the scene of his home, they found his wife, Christina dead. There is a massive manhunt underway in reference to the murder, kidnapping and robbery.”
The grandparents were able to free themselves and called the police, who activated the Amber Alert shortly after.
Police have not said what caused Atwell’s actions, but sources close to the family have posted that he was going through a divorce and allegedly had a prescription pill addiction. Atwell told friends that he was not allowed to see his child, but family members say that is not true and visited her regularly.
During a news conference on Friday morning, West Virginia State Police said that Atwell and Porshia were seen near the Budget Inn on Mercer Street in Princeton on Thursday afternoon.
Atwell has ties to the Vinton and Bedford areas. Trooper J.C. Teubert told the Register Herald that Atwell may be headed for the Iaeger area of McDowell County, and law enforcement in Mercer County employed helicopters in the search for the missing girl.
“We’ve got air support looking for the Jeep in the area,” Teubert said. “We’re thinking she might be in McDowell County somewhere. Her father has roots in Iaeger. We have units out looking for her everywhere. We are looking for her in Raleigh, Mercer, McDowell counties and in Virginia.”
During the press conference on Friday, police stated they believe that Porshia’s mother Christina had been dead for two or three days, reports WSAZ news.
Atwell is considered to be armed and dangerous, and if you see him do not approach him, but call the West Virginia State Police at 304-425-2101.
Porshia Atwell is 4’2″ tall, and 75 pounds. She was wearing a black t-shirt with a broken heart on the front.
Tracey Atwell is 6’2″ tall, 180 pounds with hazel eyes.
They both may be in a white Jeep Cherokee Laredo with West Virginia License Plate number 6C3202.
