Behrman Investigators Suspend Search Of Creek
FBI Agent: Items Found Help Support Theory About Missing IU Student
POSTED: 9:51 am EDT August 1, 2002
UPDATED: 7:29 pm EDT August 1, 2002
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Investigators concluded their four-day search of a creek for a missing Indiana University student Thursday without finding the woman's body.
FBI agent Gary Dunn said he could not elaborate on what was found in southern Monroe County's Salt Creek, but that the items supported their theory that 19-year-old Jill Behrman was hit by a vehicle while riding her bike on May 31, 2000, and that her body was dumped. "We're confident that we'll find what we need to find," Dunn said. "It has been a very productive four days. It's been very encouraging." Dunn said the more than 20 divers who participated in the search would not come back to the site Friday, but that investigators might later return. "It's not going to end," he said. "We're here for the long haul."Jill's father, Eric Behrman (pictured, above left), who has been with investigators at the creek this week, said earlier that he knew what authorities were finding, but couldn't give any details."I feel as certain as I've ever felt that we're very, very close to finding some things that will lead us to solving this case," Eric Behrman said Wendesday.
Authorities scoured Salt Creek in April, but high water hindered the search.Eric Behrman said he took days off from work to be at the search site this week."It's kind of hard to explain, but ... I feel that I need to be there; I want to be there," Eric Behrman said.Prosecutors in April identified a suspect, Uriah Clouse, but he has not been charged in the case.Clouse is being held in Monroe County Jail on felony charges in the attempted abduction of an 18-year-old Ellettsville woman just days after Behrman disappeared. Defense attorney James Roberts asked a judge Wednesday to move Clouse's trial on charges he attacked jail inmate in neighboring Brown County. Roberts said the publicity surrounding Clouse has made it impossible for him to get a fair trial in Brown County. No decision has been made on the request.A source close to the investigation told RTV6 that two other suspects also are in jail on charges unrelated to Behrman's disappearance.
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Authorities scoured Salt Creek in April, but high water hindered the search.Eric Behrman said he took days off from work to be at the search site this week."It's kind of hard to explain, but ... I feel that I need to be there; I want to be there," Eric Behrman said.Prosecutors in April identified a suspect, Uriah Clouse, but he has not been charged in the case.Clouse is being held in Monroe County Jail on felony charges in the attempted abduction of an 18-year-old Ellettsville woman just days after Behrman disappeared. Defense attorney James Roberts asked a judge Wednesday to move Clouse's trial on charges he attacked jail inmate in neighboring Brown County. Roberts said the publicity surrounding Clouse has made it impossible for him to get a fair trial in Brown County. No decision has been made on the request.A source close to the investigation told RTV6 that two other suspects also are in jail on charges unrelated to Behrman's disappearance. Previous Stories:
- July 31, 2002: Behrman Search Resumes Thursday At Salt Creek
- May 31, 2002: Behrman Investigators: We're Looking For Pickup Truck
- May 31, 2002: Bloomington Marks Anniversary Of Behrman's Disappearance
- April 13, 2002: Behrman Suspect Faces New Charges
- April 12, 2002: Judge To Decide Bond For Man Investigated In Behrman Case
- April 10, 2002: Defense Attorney Links Jailed Man To Behrman Probe
- April 4, 2002: Detectives Theorize Behrman Was Hit Accidentally
Copyright 2007 by TheIndyChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
