ST. GENEVIEVE, MO – One of Missouri’s most respected pro-family lobbyists made a tearful plea to the public in helping locate his wife, missing for more than a week, during a Thursday morning press conference held in the parking lot of the St. Genevieve County Sherriff’s Department.
Kerry Messer awakened around 4 am. on July 8 to discover his 52-year-old wife, Lynn, missing. Despite an intense search involving hundreds of law enforcement personnel, family members and friends, her whereabouts remain unknown.
The press conference was conducted so the Messer family and authorities could solicit help from the public as the search continues.
“Lynn, if you can see this we love you,” a tearful Kerry Messer said looking into a group of television cameras. “I love you with all my heart. We are searching and we are not going to quit.”
With the Messer family standing behind him, he asked the public to assist in the search for his highschool sweetheart and wife of 34 years. The Messers have two adult sons and several grandchildren.
“Check your out-buildings, your barns, your sheds,” he asked after thanking law enforcement authorities and friends for helping search their 270-acre farm and surrounding property about 50 miles south of St. Louis on Highway DD, seven miles west of I-55 on the northern edge of the county that runs parallel with the Mississippi River.
“Lynn, if you can see this, we love you. I love you with all my heart. We are searching and we are not going to quit.”
Authorities announced they have established a tip line (573-883-5820, ext. 27463) to receive any information from the public and that some leads have been received and are being investigated. No further details on the investigation were provided.
Lynn Messer had spent the evening of July 7 making crafts for Vacation Bible School which had begun earlier that day at First Baptist Church, Festus-Crystal City, where the Messers have been long-time members. Members of the church said Lynn was at church services July 6 (Sunday) and at VBS on July 7. Some of those who had contact with her said everything seemed normal.
Kerry told authorities he woke up and found Lynn missing in the pre-dawn hours of the next morning, her purse and cell phone still in the house. A walking boot which she had been wearing since breaking a toe on her right foot also remained. He said after a search of the house and the family property did not turn up Lynn’s whereabouts he called authorities to report her missing at about 8 a.m. July 8.
Deputies were dispatched to the Messer home, said Missouri Highway Patrol Cpl. Justin Wheetley, who served as a spokesman at the press conference.
“The next 48 hours, following the notification of Lynn Messer’s disappearance, St. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office enlisted the assistance of numerous professional searchers including: the Missouri Region C Technical Rescue Team, Eureka Fire Protection District Search and Rescue, Gate Way Search Dogs; all of St. Genevieve County Fire Departments, St. Genevieve Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol’s fixed wing and helicopter aircraft,” Wheetley said.
“A massive search of the approximate 270-acre farm and surrounding numerous acreage, roads and ponds was conducted in an attempt to locate Lynn Messer or any clues to her location. To date, subsequent searches have been conducted by K-9 teams of the Messer Farm and surrounding areas by Missouri Department of Corrections Bloodhounds and Eureka Fire Protection District Search and Rescue.”
Wheetley said from midnight until 8 a.m., on July 15 the St. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department conducted two check points, north and south of the Messer Farm on State Route DD, asking motorists for any observation they may have seen the week prior during the same time.
“Several observations are being followed up on,” Wheetley said, declining to elaborate. He noted the Sheriff’s Department has enlisted the assistance of the Missouri Highway Patrol for investigative purposes.
“Together our agencies have begun an active and ongoing investigation into Lynn Messer’s disappearance.” Wheetley said they have not discovered any evidence suggesting foul play, but added it has not been ruled out.
The Messers have enlisted a large contingent of volunteers who continue to search the property and surrounding areas.
Lynn Messer has long, graying hair, is five-feet, two inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. A special Facebook page has been established, https://www.facebook.com/findlynnmesser. People can go there to post comments and watch for the latest developments.
Reprinted with permission from The Pathway.