Walker County 911 dispatcher missing since March 21
Monday, March 26, 2007
Tommy Freeman
James Harris
Sheriff Steve Wilson
By Chloe Morrison
Staff Writer
LaFAYETTE, Ga. -- Walker County authorities are asking for help from the public to locate a 911 Center dispatcher who has been missing nearly a week.
Emergency Services Dispatcher Theresa Parker, 41, was last heard from March 21 when she left her sister's home, authorities said.
"We know that the individu
Mrs. Parker was reported missing Saturday after she had not contacted family members for three days -- something she usually does daily, the sheriff said.
Local officials began investigating and then sought help from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which has taken the lead on the case, Sheriff Wilson said.
He was joined at the news conference by GBI Special Agent James Harris and new LaFayette Director of Public Safety Tommy Freeman. They said Mrs. Parker's car was found at her residence Thursday morning.
Numerous people have been interviewed, and investigators have traced Mrs. Parker's cell phone, Agent Harris said, but he declined to say where and when it was last used.
Mrs. Parker's husband, Sam Parker, is a LaFayette police officer of more than 20 years and the couple is in the process of a divorce, Sheriff Wilson said about why Mr. Freeman was at the news conference. Mr. Freeman, at his sixth day on the job Monday, said his department is cooperating.
"Sam appears to be extremely worried about his wife," Mr. Freeman said. "He is distraught ... but as he told me he said his best medicine was to stay active and keep his mind busy."
Sheriff Wilson said officials are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.
Agent Harris, asked if there was a history of domestic violence at the Parker home, "We are still looking at several things that have happened in the past."
Mr. Parker went on a fishing trip Thursday, but officials said they don't believe that is related to the case.
Sheriff Wilson said Mrs. Parker always seemed pleasant.
"She was a very outgoing, or is, a very outgoing person," he said.
E-mail Chloe Morrison at cmorrison@timesfreepress.com
WHOM TO CONTACT
Theresa Parker, 41, has been missing since March 21. She is a brown-eyed, brown haired female who is 5'7 and 125 pounds. Call 706-624-1424, 706-638-1913 or 706-375-7810 with any information on her whereabouts.