Search for Missing Kenbridge Woman Continues; Weeklong Ground Search Halted

The discovery of a missing Lunenburg County woman’s vehicle on September 1, 2013 prompted a weeklong ground search by local and state public safety professionals. Using the location of the abandoned vehicle in the Beaver Creek community of Lunenburg County as a starting point, searchers have covered approximately 12 miles within a 1.5-mile radius over the past seven days in very dense terrain.

“We have had specially trained search and rescue teams conducting what’s known as a ‘grid search’ very day since Sunday, September 1st,” said Lunenburg County Sheriff Arthur Townsend. “This is a very meticulous and measured search process that organizes search patterns into grids, thus making sure no area or stretch of land is missed.”

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the many local residents and churches for providing meals and refreshments for those participating in this week’s search efforts. Their overwhelming generosity has been of great benefit to the searchers and our progress each day,” continued Sheriff Townsend.

The Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office and State Police have been searching for Virginia Edmonds, 73, of Kenbridge, since she was reported missing by her family in June. Edmonds was last seen June 28, 2013.

Shortly after 12 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the discovery of Ms. Edmonds’ silver 1999 Oldsmobile Alero in the 900 block of Egg Drive/Route705. The abandoned car was approximately 100 yards from the road into the woods. The car was spotted by a local man using a bush hog in an adjacent field.

Since the vehicle’s discovery, the sheriff’s office, local police, state police, specialized search and rescue teams, canine tracking teams and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management have dedicated resources to the search efforts. Just the search groups alone have volunteered over 1,000 manhours and traveled approximately 20,000 miles to and from their homes to help with the search.

“Having spent the past week out here and exhausted every possible lead and search option within the vicinity of the recovered vehicle, we will be suspending the active search efforts Sunday,” said Sheriff Townsend. “However, this in no way ends our overall search efforts for Ms. Edmonds. The sheriff’s office and state police will continue to deploy whatever resources necessary to aggressively pursue this case and any new leads that develop. We still ask for people to call in with tips and any information they may have about Ms. Edmonds.”

Sheriff Townsend would like to thank the following groups: Dogs-East, Piedmont Search and Rescue, Tidewater Search and Rescue, Greater Atlantic Rescue Dogs, Search and Rescue Tracking Institute, K-9 Alert, Amherst County Search and Rescue, Angel Search and Rescue, Trotsar Mounted Search and Rescue, Virginia Search and Rescue Dogs, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Victoria Fire and Rescue with the Virginia Communications Cache, Kenbridge Rescue, Virginia State Police, Virginia State Police Search and Recovery Team, Lunenburg Sheriff’s Office, Kenbridge Police Department, Victoria Police Department, Lunenburg Correctional Center, Nottoway Correctional Center, Lunenburg School System, the surrounding counties, the landowners of or near the search site and the Lunenburg Community.

Ms. Edmonds is a black female, with brown eyes and short black hair. She weighs approximately 120 pounds and is 5 feet 5 inches in height. She wears glasses and was last seen wearing a black Members Only jacket and black shoes.

At this stage of the search, foul play is still not suspected in her disappearance.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office at 434-696-4452 or Virginia State Police at 434-352-7128. Anonymous call are welcome.