AURORA, Colo. – Dozens of volunteers knocked on doors and passed out fliers in hopes of turning up clues to the disappearance of a 6-year-old girl who investigators believe is dead.
Aarone Thompson was reported missing Nov. 14 by her father, Aaron Thompson, who said she ran away that day. Police say they believe she was the victim of a homicide and may have been dead for up to 18 months.
No one has been charged and police have not found a body, but they say Aaron Thompson and his girlfriend, Shely Lowe, are "persons of interest." A family spokesman has said Thompson denies any involvement in his daughter's disappearance.
The search was organized by Letizia and Richard Berrelez, who formed the Alie Foundation to help in missing children cases after their 5-year-old granddaughter Alie was abducted and killed more than a decade ago.
Family and friends have faulted police for giving up on finding Aarone alive.
"Until you find a dead body, you've got to keep looking for a live child," the Rev. Acen Phillips said Friday. Phillips has been meeting with the Thompson family.
Interim Police Chief Terry Jones said the volunteer search was commendable but unlikely to develop any leads. He said the family has not assisted in the investigation and authorities will continue to look for clues at their home.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox