The parents of a missing Connecticut college student joined police Wednesday to plead for the public’s help finding their daughter.
Alyssiah Wiley, a 20-year-old sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University, was last seen near a Dairy Queen on Main Street in Willimantic on April 20, according to Connecticut State Police.
“This is a very brilliantly bright young woman who has her whole future ahead of her,” mother Corrinna Martin said at a Wednesday press conference.
http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html
Authorities have released few details about the timeline surrounding Wiley’s disappearance, but Lt. Paul Vance told reporters that they believe the case is “an isolated incident.”
Wiley was initially reported missing to university police when she did not return to her dorm room on April 20, but state police have provided K-9 teams, aircraft and personnel to assist with a search that has expanded statewide.
Police said last week they were looking for a black 2009 Nissan Altima in connection with the case. According to Vance, the vehicle has been found, but he did not disclose whose car it is or whether any evidence was found in it.
Martin said Wiley is a psychology major with a minor in biology who is planning to go to graduate school and get a doctorate in psychology.
“This is not a young lady who would walk away from such a life,” she said. “This is not a young lady who would put her family through so much grief. This is, however, a young lady who is full of life, full of energy, and full of hope that her future is bright.”
Vance emphasized that police do have some leads in the case, but he said they are missing the one key piece of information they need.
Investigators have been interviewing Wiley’s friends, family, classmates, roommates and acquaintances throughout the state and anyone else who may have had contact with her before she went missing. Vance said police are working very closely with the family.
Windham County State Attorney Patricia Froehlich said her office has created a Facebook page where people can submit tips. According to Froehlich, the state forensic science lab has agreed to prioritize testing of any evidence related to the case.
“I know that someone out there knows where Alyssiah is,” Froehlich said.
Vance and Martin stated that tips can be kept anonymous and confidential. Anyone with information is asked to call the state police at 860-685-8190.
“We’re just asking please, please, please find it in your heart to open up your mouth and speak,” Martin said. “Please help us bring our loved one–my baby–home.”
