5 Days Missing: Search for Gabrielle Swainson Moves to Broad River Road
Groups hopeful of finding Gabrielle Swainson left the area where she lives and moved to the other side of Richland County.
For the third day in a row, groups of friends and family have canvassed areas looking for the 15-year-old who went missing early Saturday morning.
Gabrielle Swainson was last seen in Northeast Columbia, but the search party today moved to Broad River Road in western Richland County.
No explanation was given for the move.
These groups have largely been organized online using Twitter and Facebook, and both social media sites are key players in this investigation.
The "Help us find Gabbiee" Facebook group reported that authorities asked them to shut down earlier Wednesday. The Twitter hashtags #FindGabby, #FindGabs and #FindGabbiee are trending.
A spokesman for the Richland County Sheriff's Office said investigators were closely monitoring online communication.
That includes a Facebook user who allegedly sent messages to Swainson's friends saying he knew where she was.
Photos from the Facebook group show a user under the name "Chriss Dewitt" saying he knew where Swainson was. Officials didn't confirm or deny the validity of this post, just saying that they were following up on all leads.
If you have information on the whereabouts of Swainson, contact authorities immediately. There is still no sign of foul play, although Swainson was allegedly not the type to runaway.
Shane Dorr
7:59 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
There is a nasty pond not too far from victims house. Has that been checked thoroughly? This reminds me way too much of the Elizabeth Smart case years ago. How about where prostitutes are trafficked in Columbia? 5 days now...ALL possibilities MUST be tried.
Aisha Gadson
11:15 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
This is so sad:( my prayers go out to the family! Stay strong and think positive! God bless<3
TONYA JOHNSON
3:09 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
All possibilities
DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE, THAT SHE COULD HAVE LEFT OUT THE HOUSE AFTER HER MOM LEFT FOR WORK; WE HAVE ALL BEEN TEENAGERS AT SOME POINT.....
Ashley g
10:43 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Yeah she left the house. And ended up WHERE ? This is my neighbors best friend. And we need to find her ! It's been 7 days now. That is not okay. She's a little girl. She could be lost scared and lonely. It doesn't matter where she is. She just needs to be found !
jada
9:42 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
i am going to help
jada
9:41 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
i will help that girl i will tell every one the even said it on the news,and radio
jada
9:49 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
yall said she lives at broad river thats where my dad and brother go fishing they must have seen or herd her around there i will go to broad river and look and search for that girl even if it takes me day .i pray for you .i will keep praying untill we find you .god and jesus blessu that child