Officials: Alcohol Likely A Factor In Disappearance
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The search will continue Sunday on the Minnesota River for a missing Le Sueur woman.
Moriah Zwart, 20, was camping with a friend along the water before she disappeared Friday morning. Authorities don't suspect foul play in the case, but they believe alcohol to be factor in her disappearance.
At this time, officials are not asking for the public's help, as the search focus remains on the Minnesota River.
Over the weekend, the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office searched a quarter-mile area near a sandbar, where Zwart's friend last saw her.
That sandbar is just past Zwart's home, so she was familiar with the area.
The 20-year-old and her friend were camping on the sandbar.
The last time that friend remembers seeing Zwart was Thursday night. By 5:30 a.m. Friday, she was nowhere to be found.
"As always, we want to emphasize the dangers of being by a river or any body of water and consuming alcohol," Sheriff Dave Tietz said. "We believe alcohol is a major contributing factor in this incident."
Zwart's family says she's a culinary arts student at South Central College in Mankato and is very close to her five siblings.
The family said they are praying for Zwart's safe return.
On Friday, dozens of volunteers searched a nearby wooded area for several hours. They found nothing.
A Vigil Planned
A member of the Le Sueur community says that a "coming home" vigil will be held at 8:30 p.m. Monday at the American Legion Park. Attendants are asked to wear purple, Zwart's favorite color.
