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Investigators still looking for missing Amelia grandmother Olene Brooks

Posted at 9:52 PM, Jan 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-29 23:09:54-05

AMELIA COUNTY, Va. -- Virginia State Police will join the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Amelia County Sheriff’s Office Saturday to search for any sign of Olene Brooks.

“We’re just grasping at straws at this point,” Sheila Smith, Brooks’ youngest daughter said.

Investigators said Dana William abducted Brooks more than a week ago, and still there is no sign of the missing mother and grandmother.

“We’ve been walking the roads and searching for the last three days,” Smith said.

Investigators said William killed Brooks’ husband, Woody, before taking her and fleeing to Massachusetts.

The alleged abductor, Dana William, shot and killed himself as police in Fitchburg, Massachusetts moved in Wednesday morning, the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Friday.

Olene Brooks (PHOTO: Amelia Sheriff's Office)

Olene Brooks (PHOTO: Amelia Sheriff's Office)

Smith said she hopes someone knows where he took her mom.

“He liked to brag a lot so I would like to think he boastfully told someone,” Smith said.

The Amelia County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of a Dodge mini van closely resembling the one William stole from the Brooks.

“The 2010 Dodge Caravan is silver with a handicap license plate “433114.” The vehicle is missing the passenger side, front wheel-well lining and the quarter-panel molding on the driver’s side,” Virginia Sate Police spokesperson Sgt. Stephan Vick said.

2010 Dodge mini van

2010 Dodge mini van

They’re asking anyone who may have seen it in the Richmond area Friday to contact them.

“From Poorhouse Road out to 360 and anywhere along the way, if they have any abandon buildings that could have been available at that time,” Amelia Sheriff Ricky L. Walker said.

The Sheriff’s Office along with the two state agencies will perform a search centering around the Brooks’ home Saturday afternoon with expanded efforts continuing into Monday.

“Just gotta start somewhere,” Sheriff Walker said.

Meanwhile, Smith said the family continues to hold out hope that her mom will be found safe, yet, as she searches herself, it’s hard not to think the worst.

“You’re walking, and you’re wanting the whole time, yearning to scream her name, but then something inside of you stops you because if she were where we were looking, she wouldn’t respond,” Smith said before starting to cry.

Anyone with information concerning Mrs. Brooks, William, and/or recalls seeing the minivan is still encouraged to call the Amelia County Sheriff’s Office at 804-561-2118, Amelia Crime Solvers at 804-561-5200 or the Virginia State Police at #77 on a cell phone or email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.

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