Volusia County deputies and Edgewater police have suspended their search for 18-year-old Ashlyn Bowman, who disappeared nearly a month ago.
- Bowman disappeared around June 21
- 15 volunteers spent five hours searching Rotary Park Wednesday
- Deputies will re-open search if more leads turn up
Family, deputies, and volunteers pushed through the woods of Rotary Park for five hours on Wednesday searching for Bowman, who has been missing since June 21.
"She had permission to go to her girlfriend's house and we had no reason to believe that there was anything wrong and she just disappeared," said Bowman's mother, Carrie Roehl.
Roehl went on to say they've heard many rumors about what may have happened to her daughter. However, deputies said they found no evidence during their search of the park, which they believe was the last place Bowman might have been seen.
"It's just very heartbreaking right now," said Roehl.
Bowman's grandparents, Gerald and Pauline Chaffee, said they aren't giving up hope, though the search has been discouraging.
"We're thankful that [the search is] happening, but it just doesn't seem to go anywhere," said Gerald. "Definitely somebody knows something somewhere."
"I'm afraid to go out of the house because I'm afraid I'm going to miss her phone call," said Pauline.
The family describes Bowman as a "wonderful" person who knew martial arts and who they believe had no reason to run away. They continue to hope where she is, she's still fighting.
"She's very well loved, missed, and we just need her to come home happy and healthy," said Roehl.
The sheriff's office said Wednesday was just the first community search, and if they get more leads they can reopen the search.
Anyone with any information regarding Ashlyn Bowman or her disappearance should call call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS, or visit crimestoppersofnortheastflorida.com.