Report: Missing UW Student Found Alive
MPD: Audrey Ruth Seiler Was Victim Of Assault Last Month
Posted: 4:38 pm CST March 28, 2004Updated: 1:59 pm CST March 31, 2004
MADISON, Wis. -- Family and friends cling to hope, but the mystery surrounding missing UW student Audrey Seiler deepens. It's been five days since she disappeared from her Regent Street apartment.
There is a vigil tonight at Seiler's apartment building, Regent Street Apartments, at 7 p.m. ( More Details )Today, police and volunteers are searching more outside locations near Seiler's apartment.News 3 and Channel 3000 will have more information as it becomes available.Tuesday Searches
Hundreds of friends and family, including her 17-year-old brother Kyle, classmates, teachers and many others from the Rockford, Minn., area, have come to Madison to join the search. They combed the campus area for clues Tuesday, including the woods and high grass of the University of Wisconsin Arboretum for any sign."I just don't think it's Audrey, it's her family," said Audrey's hairdresser Pam Hartman. "They're just a wonderful family. They do a lot for the community, and it's a small town. So we're all very close."Search members said there were no solid leads that prompted them to search the Arboretum, but they thought it was a logical place to look, considering it's close to Seiler's apartment.Madison police told News 3 there is little reason for increased hope. They have gotten hundreds of tips, but none are panning out.
Yet the family is determined and hopeful. Audrey Seiler's father (pictured, left) spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday to thank the hundreds helping search for his daughter as they gathered at the Monona Terrace."Audrey's whole family is hopeful and confident that we'll find Audrey safe," Keith Seiler said.Seiler's family believes getting the word out about Audrey will help bring her home."We're very confident and determined that if the right person hears this, or sees her face ... they'll have some information that will help us," said her uncle, Scott Charlesworth-Seiler.Police Reviewing Surveillance TapeSeiler's roommate last saw her leaving their Regent Street apartment about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Madison police started looking for her around 2 p.m. Saturday. Officers and search-and-rescue dogs searched the area Sunday, and the FBI joined the search Monday.
Now police are reviewing surveillance tapes from her apartment entrance where she is seen leaving alone. The tape shows her peering outside as if she were waiting for someone or something, News 3 reported."The reason we are pursuing this case so vigorously ... is that her leaving the apartment ... with the condition we found her residence ... is not consistent with her normal behavior pattern," said Capt. Luis Yudice of MPD.Police are also reviewing files of sex offenders and others with a criminal history living in the area of Seiler's apartment.Police said Seiler didn't take any personal items she might need for any type of trip. This is considered atypical behavior for Seiler, investigators said. She is a 4.0 student, and she hasn't called anyone since her disappearance."None of this makes sense to us at all," Charlesworth-Seiler told News 3. "Audrey hardly goes a day without talking to family. Audrey is a wonderful young woman, mature, responsible, level-headed, reasonable, very conscientious. Everybody who knows her is here helping. It's a testament to the kind of person she is."
Police say they are doing everything they can to find her. Tips continue to pour in, but none have helped yet, police said."We want (her family) to know we're working very hard to bring closure to this situation and to find their daughter," said Shannon Blackamore of the Madison Police Department. "It's a very sad situation. You have a daughter out there, and no one knows where she is."Seiler Attacked In FebruaryThe area around Seiler's apartment is not known to be particularly dangeous; however, she was attacked by an apparent stranger Feb. 1 one block from her home, News 3 reported.
Police said they don't know if the attack is related to her disappearance. She was approached from behind, struck unconscious and left in a secluded area. Because she was attacked from behind, police do not have a description of the attacker in that case."(The attacker) left her unconscious and moved to another location outside, and eventually she was found and she was treated for those injuries," said Larry Kamholz of MPD.Her family revealed Tuesday that Audrey considered that a random act. Police said they have no link between that attack and her disappearance.Seiler was last seen wearing an oversized Abercrombie and Fitch burgundy hooded sweatshirt with large white numbers on the front, navy blue sweatpants and either white flip-flops or tennis shoes. She is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 120 pounds, with long brown hair and brown eyes.1982 Student Murdered In Same Area
The last time the UW campus was sent reeling like this was in 1982, when student Donna Mraz (pictured, left) was killed just a block from where Seiler lives.A stranger also grabbed Mraz from behind, slit her throat and was never caught.Seiler's story hit national newscasts Tuesday, with some drawing parallels to the case of Dru Sjodin, who was last seen Nov. 22 leaving a shopping mall in Grand Forks, N.D. A convicted rapist was ordered earlier this month to stand trial on charges he kidnapped her. Investigators have said they believe Sjodin is dead. Reward FundSeiler's family has set up a reward fund, called "Hope For Audrey" in her hometown of Rockford, Minn.
Hope For Audrey
Bank West
5921 Main St. Rockford, Minn. 55373Candlelight Vigil PlannedSeiler's hometown, family and friends are praying for the best. Many are gathering at the family's church in Crystal, Minn., located just west of the Twin Cities, to show support. Many more are in Madison helping search."It's terrible -- it's really difficult," said family friend Barb Christensen. "The longer it goes, the harder it gets because we know from past experience."The church is holding a candlelight vigil until Seiler is found.
Find Audrey Web Site
Anyone with information can contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014 or Madison police at (608) 266-4275.
News 3 and Channel 3000 will have more information as it becomes available.
WHERE'S AUDREY SEILER?  REPORTS  Minn. Friends, Family Come To SearchTuesday: RecapTuesday: Team Coverage Interview With FamilySearch Begins Audrey Seiler: Watch CBS ReportRESOURCES/TIPS Find Audrey Web SiteAnyone with information can contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014 or Madison police at (608) 266-4275. Statement From UW ProvostStatement From Student LeadersREWARD Seiler's family has set up a reward fund, called "Hope For Audrey" in her hometown of Rockford, Minn.Hope For Audrey Bank West 5921 Main St. Rockford, MN 55373 |
Hundreds of friends and family, including her 17-year-old brother Kyle, classmates, teachers and many others from the Rockford, Minn., area, have come to Madison to join the search. They combed the campus area for clues Tuesday, including the woods and high grass of the University of Wisconsin Arboretum for any sign."I just don't think it's Audrey, it's her family," said Audrey's hairdresser Pam Hartman. "They're just a wonderful family. They do a lot for the community, and it's a small town. So we're all very close."Search members said there were no solid leads that prompted them to search the Arboretum, but they thought it was a logical place to look, considering it's close to Seiler's apartment.Madison police told News 3 there is little reason for increased hope. They have gotten hundreds of tips, but none are panning out.Yet the family is determined and hopeful. Audrey Seiler's father (pictured, left) spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday to thank the hundreds helping search for his daughter as they gathered at the Monona Terrace."Audrey's whole family is hopeful and confident that we'll find Audrey safe," Keith Seiler said.Seiler's family believes getting the word out about Audrey will help bring her home."We're very confident and determined that if the right person hears this, or sees her face ... they'll have some information that will help us," said her uncle, Scott Charlesworth-Seiler.Police Reviewing Surveillance TapeSeiler's roommate last saw her leaving their Regent Street apartment about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Madison police started looking for her around 2 p.m. Saturday. Officers and search-and-rescue dogs searched the area Sunday, and the FBI joined the search Monday.Now police are reviewing surveillance tapes from her apartment entrance where she is seen leaving alone. The tape shows her peering outside as if she were waiting for someone or something, News 3 reported."The reason we are pursuing this case so vigorously ... is that her leaving the apartment ... with the condition we found her residence ... is not consistent with her normal behavior pattern," said Capt. Luis Yudice of MPD.Police are also reviewing files of sex offenders and others with a criminal history living in the area of Seiler's apartment.Police said Seiler didn't take any personal items she might need for any type of trip. This is considered atypical behavior for Seiler, investigators said. She is a 4.0 student, and she hasn't called anyone since her disappearance."None of this makes sense to us at all," Charlesworth-Seiler told News 3. "Audrey hardly goes a day without talking to family. Audrey is a wonderful young woman, mature, responsible, level-headed, reasonable, very conscientious. Everybody who knows her is here helping. It's a testament to the kind of person she is."Police say they are doing everything they can to find her. Tips continue to pour in, but none have helped yet, police said."We want (her family) to know we're working very hard to bring closure to this situation and to find their daughter," said Shannon Blackamore of the Madison Police Department. "It's a very sad situation. You have a daughter out there, and no one knows where she is."Seiler Attacked In FebruaryThe area around Seiler's apartment is not known to be particularly dangeous; however, she was attacked by an apparent stranger Feb. 1 one block from her home, News 3 reported.Police said they don't know if the attack is related to her disappearance. She was approached from behind, struck unconscious and left in a secluded area. Because she was attacked from behind, police do not have a description of the attacker in that case."(The attacker) left her unconscious and moved to another location outside, and eventually she was found and she was treated for those injuries," said Larry Kamholz of MPD.Her family revealed Tuesday that Audrey considered that a random act. Police said they have no link between that attack and her disappearance.Seiler was last seen wearing an oversized Abercrombie and Fitch burgundy hooded sweatshirt with large white numbers on the front, navy blue sweatpants and either white flip-flops or tennis shoes. She is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 120 pounds, with long brown hair and brown eyes.1982 Student Murdered In Same AreaThe last time the UW campus was sent reeling like this was in 1982, when student Donna Mraz (pictured, left) was killed just a block from where Seiler lives.A stranger also grabbed Mraz from behind, slit her throat and was never caught.Seiler's story hit national newscasts Tuesday, with some drawing parallels to the case of Dru Sjodin, who was last seen Nov. 22 leaving a shopping mall in Grand Forks, N.D. A convicted rapist was ordered earlier this month to stand trial on charges he kidnapped her. Investigators have said they believe Sjodin is dead. Reward FundSeiler's family has set up a reward fund, called "Hope For Audrey" in her hometown of Rockford, Minn.Hope For Audrey
Bank West
5921 Main St. Rockford, Minn. 55373Candlelight Vigil PlannedSeiler's hometown, family and friends are praying for the best. Many are gathering at the family's church in Crystal, Minn., located just west of the Twin Cities, to show support. Many more are in Madison helping search."It's terrible -- it's really difficult," said family friend Barb Christensen. "The longer it goes, the harder it gets because we know from past experience."The church is holding a candlelight vigil until Seiler is found.
Find Audrey Web SiteAnyone with information can contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014 or Madison police at (608) 266-4275.News 3 and Channel 3000 will have more information as it becomes available. Copyright 2005 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
