At one home in Myrtle Beach, S.C., a Christmas tree is surrounded by unopened presents and a family struggles with unanswered questions about the mysterious disappearance of 20-year-old Heather Elvis.
One week before Christmas Day, the waitress at a popular Myrtle Beach sports pub returned to her apartment from a date at about 2 a.m. on Dec. 18. She called a friend a short time later, and that was the last anyone heard from her.
"It's on hold," father Terry Elvis told The Huffington Post of his family's holiday celebration. "The tree is still up and all the presents are there. We are hoping and praying she comes back so we can have Christmas with her."
Elvis' car was found by police parked at Peachtree Landing boat dock on the Intracoastal Waterway the day after her disappearance. Her cell phone and keys were missing with no apparent signs of foul play.
The Horry County Police Department is releasing few details of its investigation while following up on leads generated by a tip line ( 843-915-TIPS) and a $25,000 reward. A FindHeatherElvis Facebook page has generated more than 30,000 "Likes" and the case has recently gained national media attention.
However, freezing temperatures and few clues have hindered recent search efforts on land and in the water. Police are working with the CUE (Community United Effort) Center and volunteers to coordinate search parties and help get the word out to the public.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
