Nearly 300 Tips Received, Video Released In Case Of Missing Woman Chelsea Bruck
MONROE (WWJ) - "We have no reason to believe that she is not alive at this time."
That was the word from Monroe County sheriff Dale Malone Wednesday, as he updated reporters on the case of 22-year-old Chelsea Bruck, who disappeared from an Oct. 26 Halloween party.
Malone said that, despite following up on nearly 300 tips — many from drunken party-goers — investigators still don't have any evidence as to the whereabouts of Bruck or the identity of a man with whom she was reportedly last seen.
At an afternoon news conference, Sheriff's officials showed a YouTube clip of a previous party attended by Bruck, back in June, at the same property on Post Road in rural Frenchtown Township, about 35 miles southwest of Detroit.
In what is music video for the band "Pick Axe Preacher" you can see Bruck at more than one point, including pretty clearly at 3:16. She's wearing a white shirt and shorts with black suspenders.
[See the full video HERE>>Note: Explicit lyrics].
Malone said the band's lead singer throws two such big parties at his how each year — and local authorities were not aware of that until now.
"This will give you an idea of the type of party that took place," said Malone. "I've been doing this for 33 years...other than one other case, I don't think that we've activated this amount of people and committed these resources to an investigation."
Malone said the outdoor party drew an estimated 600 people, including many from out-of-state.
"That was the purpose of showing you that video," he continued. "Take 600 people and put them in costumes, and then try and have those people relay stuff back to us — that's the problem; that's what we're dealing with right now."
Further complicating matter, Malone said, Bruck left her cell phone with a friend before she disappeared.
Sheriff's officials said a witness reported seeing Bruck walking away from the party at around 3 a.m. with an unknown man. [See a sketch of him]. The pair was spotted walking toward where cars were parked, according to the witness, but it's unknown whether or not they left together.
Many of the tips authorities received center on the unknown man.
"That is a person who a sober person said that he saw talking with Chelsea, and that's the last confirmed person that we have that was talking to her," Malone said.
Although the case remains open, Sheriff's office investigators have formally stopped their search, Malone said.
"We have no reason to believe she's in harm; we have no reason to believe she's not in harm," Malone said. "We're handling the investigation like it's a legitimate missing person case, and where it is taking us."
Bruck's family members are not giving up hope.
Her sister, Cassandra Bruck, said there's no way she would've taken off by choice.
"I am getting married in January, and she is in my wedding," Cassandra Bruck told reporters. "And she texted me that morning — Saturday morning, before she disappeared — 'Three months 'til your wedding, can't wait' (with a) smiley face, hearts. She's been saving money and planning. She's not choosing this."
Chelsea Bruck is described as a white female with blond hair, around 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 140 lbs. with a small tattoo of an anchor behind her right ear. She was last seen wearing a "Poison Ivy" Batman character costume, which consisted of black tight-fitting yoga pants or leggings, a green ivy leaf-covered top, and a long, dark purple wig.
It was announced this week that Crime Stoppers of Michigan is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to Chelsea Bruck's whereabouts.
Anyone who has seen her, the man she was with, or who has any information about this case is urged to call the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 734-240-7700, Monroe County Central Dispatch at 734-243-7070 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.