Specialist K9s begin search

(CNS): The hunt for missing landfill worker Anna Evans continued on Tuesday morning with the use of specially trained dogs, which have been brought from overseas to join the search of the landfill site and surrounding areas. Police have also released a photograph of the make and model of the cell phone Anna is believed to have had in her possession when she disappeared on Thursday. The cell phone is a black Nokia 1661 and police are appealing for anyone who may have found a telephone, similar to the one pictured to contact them on the enquiry hotline number 526-0911. Anna was last seen at the George Town landfill site around noon on 27 January, and despite the continued and intensive search, there is still no trace of Anna or her cellphone.

Yesterday, police revealed that there had been no calls so far to the hotline number from the public as they released pictures of the uniform Anna was wearing when she went missing in an effort to jog people’s memories. The deputy governor also urged all public servants to do whatever they could to care for her family and friends, assist in the search or come forward with information.

Police have widened the search beyond the landfill and nearby areas and said they were pursuing other lines of enquiry. Officers also indicated that Anna may have left the landfill at lunchtime and walked into George Town. the RCIPS is continuing to appealing for anyone who may have seen her to call the hotline.

It has now been four days since the 37-year-old landfill worker disappeared. The last reported sighting of her was around noon on Thursday, 27 January, at the dump site. When she was last seen she was wearing her official DoEH uniform, brown boots and a blue baseball cap.

Acting Superintendent Richard Barrow said police are following a number of lines of enquiry and were trying to find out if Anna did leave the site that day.

“Officers have been interviewing family members and friends, as well as viewing CCTV footage in an attempt to establish if Anna actually left the site on Thursday afternoon,” Barrows said. “That’s why today we are displaying a uniform similar to that worn by Anna when she was last seen. We hope that the picture of the uniform may jog people’s memories. We have learned that Anna often leaves the site around lunchtime and walks into George Town. We believe that Anna is a very friendly and outgoing person, and we would ask anyone who saw her or spoke to her on Thursday afternoon to get in contact with us as soon as possible.”

Despite an intensive search at the landfill site involving police, family members, community volunteers and the Red Cross, there is still no trace of Anna. Her family is being kept up to date with all developments through a dedicated police Family Liaison Officer. Barrow also raised the issue again of the rumours circulating on the local BlackBerry messaging service that he said were malicious and unhelpful.

“There have been numerous BlackBerry messages circulating – many clearly malicious and speculating about the reasons for Anna’s disappearance. We would urge anyone who has information to contact the police. This constant rumour-mongering is not helpful, either to Anna’s distraught family or to the ongoing police enquiry,” the senior cop added.

On Monday afternoon, Deputy Governor Donovan Ebanks stated that with the passage of "each minute, each hour and each day"  the anxiety over Anna’s safety was heightened, as he called on the community to help.

"I would urge all public servants, and the broader community, to do whatever you can to support and care for her family and friends, assist in the search, or support those involved in it. I appeal to anyone who has information, however trivial it may seem, that could possibly assist to please provide it to the RCIPS immediately  on the dedicated telephone no. 526-0911," Ebanks stated. "And finally, let us all continue to pray for Anna’s safety and reunion with her family."

The enquiry hotline number is 526-0911.