In Hawaii, the parents of a missing 35-year-old hiker have offered a $10,000 reward for any information that might help find their daughter.
A press release from Maui County stated that a team made up of 60 local personnel and 50 volunteers searched for Amanda Eller of Haiku on May 10. The search initially started after she was reported missing on May 9 and continued until dark.
A spokeswoman for the family, Sarah Haynes, created a Facebook page named “Findamanda” where updates of the search were listed. A post from May 12 was pinned, saying, “We are disappointed to report that the fire department has officially called off their search for Amanda Eller as of 12pm today.”
Haynes believes Eller left for a jog before she went missing. Her belongings were later found in her Toyota SUV, which was parked outside the Makawao Forest, according to her missing poster. Only her running shoes were gone.
Her cellphone was left in the car, but Haynes told Maui News that it is normal for Eller to “unplug” for hikes or runs.
Eller is a yoga teacher with no health issues, according to Maui News.
The missing poster stated that Amanda could either be lost or injured, and Maui News reported that her friends have not ruled out the possibility of foul play.
A Couple Says They Saw Her
A couple told Haynes that they believe they spoke with Eller on May 9. They had a puppy with them, which Eller may have petted, according to Haynes on Findamanda.
“They are not 100% sure it is her but they have since watched videos of her and are pretty confident.”
The Facebook page reads that hundreds of people have searched for Eller. While the fire department and police are scaling down the search, Haynes is asking civilians to continue to help.
More information, including video footage of the volunteer base camp, is posted on Findamanda.
Searching for A Trace
“We are investigating those close to Amanda, any problem people in her life, we are pulling her credit card use, we are investigating her cell phone, her Facebook, everything,” posted Haynes on Findamanda.
According to Haynes, the last person to see Eller was her boyfriend. She implied it’s unlikely he was involved, because Haynes knows him well.
Haynes said the case is active, but more help is needed: “We need boots on the ground. Please pray for Amanda.”