MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — Authorities are asking for the public’s help to find a missing 23-year-old woman.
The Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office says TerriLynn St. John was last seen at her home on Mill Wharf Road in Wake, Virginia, early Tuesday morning.
The door of her home was found open and her two small children, a 1- and 3-year-old were found inside alone.
Deputies were notified around 10:30 a.m. by St. John’s father. He told deputies that she had not shown up for work Tuesday morning, according to Major Michael Sampson with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators were called out and started working the case as a missing person’s report, saying her disappearance was suspicious.
10 On Your Side spoke with St. John’s sister, Maggie St. John, who says the family is doing their best to stay strong.
“They found her shoes, right here behind her car, her broken jewelry, including a guy’s broken necklace was found right here, her phone was thrown into those bushes,” explained Maggie on Skype.
Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office’ Major Michael Sampson confirms there was a confrontation in the front yard by the vehicle and the dogs put them on her trail.
“It was tough but there were several miles covered on foot by the sheriff’s deputies,” said Sampson.
He says they believe the confrontation went back around her house, out into the woods, then back to the side of the home.
“You can see vehicle track marks in the grass right there, and they say that’s where they lose her trail so they think that’s where she was put in the vehicle,” she added.
Detectives have interviewed four people of interest, including St. John’s current boyfriend, and collected their DNA to be tested in a state lab, according to Sampson.
Sampson said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon that when detectives arrived at the scene, they found the two children without any injuries.
K-9 units from the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, and aircraft have been searching for St. John around surrounding terrain, including beaches and boat landings, according to Sampson.
At this time, officers do not have anyone in custody. State Police have been asked to assist with the investigation.
Middlesex officers ask anyone with information about St. John’s whereabouts to contact them at (804) 758-2779.
