Westchester College Student Lauren Spierer Missing Since Friday
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (CBSNewYork) -- In the heart of the Indiana woods and hundreds of miles from her home in Westchester County, a distraught mother and father are spending their days searching for their missing daughter.
Missing person posters mark Bloomington's College Avenue, where 20-year-old Lauren Spierer was last seen walking alone and barefoot from a bar at around 4:30 a.m. Friday, just blocks from her apartment. Police found her wallet and cell phone, but surveillance cameras never caught a glimpse of her.
Lauren's parents, Charlene and Robert Spierer, acting on a tip, focused their search on a wooded area near campus.
"We're going to go up Hickory Ridge and do the same thing we did the last time," Robert said. "We'd like anyone who's seen her to please contact the Bloomington Police immediately."
The Spierers traveled from Edgemont, N.Y., immediately after hearing of their daughter's disappearance. The petite blonde had just finished her sophomore year at Indiana University.
"She does have a heart condition she does take medicine daily so its important that we get a hold of her as soon as possible," Robert Spierer said. Spierer's family said if someone finds her, they need to take her to the hospital immediately.
Students at Lauren's old high school were unnerved by it all.
"We're a tight community, and this is devastating to everyone – not only just friends of hers, but the whole community is taking this really hard," Edgemont High senior Isabella Gordon told CBS 2's Lou Young.
The school superintendent described Lauren as a fashionista – artsy, independent, and a standout student.
"We are shocked, we are saddened, we are extremely concerned," Edgemont Schools Superintendent Nancy Taddiken said. "[We are] sending our love, sending our prayers, sending support for her family."
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Lauren's keys were found not far from where she was last seen. Police have not yet indicated whether foul play is suspected.
"They're focusing their search in the city of Bloomington," her father said.
Lauren was planning to stay in Bloomington for a summer course before returning to New York City for an internship.
Asked how long he was planning to stay out and search, Robert Spierer answered "I don't know."
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