WYOMING, Mich. - Investigators say that they searched several locations Thursday in the search for a missing Wyoming woman.
Ana Carrillo was last seen on Sunday, Sept. 3, when she left her home to apparently pick up her children at a residence on Colby Street in Wyoming. Her vehicle, a 2013 red, 4-door Chevrolet Impala, was found that evening in the parking lot of St. John Vianney Church on Clyde Park Avenue SW.
"This continues to be an ongoing investigation," said Capt. Kim Koster from Wyoming Department of Public Safety. "We did conduct several searches throughout the Kent County area. We have multiple agencies out here helping us. What we're doing is looking for any evidence related to the disappearance of Ana Carrillo."
Captain Koster tells FOX 17 no new evidence was found in what they're now calling a criminal investigation, despite rumors on social media that Ana may have been found.
"That's not accurate and unfortunately, social media is not a friend of our investigation at this point," said Koster. "I would encourage people not to share or put stock in things that they hear on social media. At this point, it's just hurtful to the family and can be harmful to a police investigation."
Wyoming Police say that on Thursday they conducted official searches at several different properties throughout Kent County. They did not disclose where those locations were or why they were being searched.
Crews spotted a major search going on in the area of Johnson Park and along Indian Mounds Road along the Grand River Thursday afternoon.
Investigators say they are working with other jurisdictions and a variety of resources as well, such as K-9 units, helicopters and boats.
"We're kind of getting relief that we're getting closer and closer," said Connie Mena, Carrillo's best friend.
Mena says she and other friends and family have been out searching since day one.
"Every time we hear a little tip or something the whole team gets together and we do it together," said Mena.
Mena says they'll continue to look for Ana, along with police, despite the outcome possibly on the horizon.
"We don't know what we're going to come and find if we do find her," said Mena. "She's not going to look like the person she did when she left. Everybody came to terms with that and still, regardless if that may be the case, we're still willing to search. We won't stop."
"Our hearts are going out to the Carrillo family right now," said Captain Koster. "We obviously want to bring a conclusion to this case."
Carrillo's ex-boyfriend, Andrew Hudson, was charged with lying to police and perjury about a week after Carrillo's disappearance. Hudson's father Lyle was also charged with perjury. Andrew has been named as a suspect in her disappearance.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Ana Carrillo should call the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
