FBI Has New Theory On Behrman Disappearance

An Indiana University sophomore who disappeared last spring while bicycling might have been accidentally struck by a motorist, according to a theory investigators are considering. FBI Comments In the initial weeks after then-19-year-old Jill Behrman disappeared May 31, police believed that she might have been abducted and even brought in an FBI profiler to study the case. Investigators, who held a news conference Wednesday to discuss the case, have conducted nearly 2,000 interviews since Behrman disappeared and are still considering several possibilities. "One of those theories is that she possibly was accidentally struck by a vehicle, by local individuals here in Bloomington, who meant her no harm but are afraid to come forward," said Ted Wasky, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Indianapolis office. "That is the one we kept getting drawn back to." Behrman was last seen riding in the southeastern part of Bloomington about 9:30 a.m. About 90 minutes later, her abandoned bike was first noticed northwest of the city in an area more than 10 miles away from her last reported location, a distance the avid cyclist could have easily covered in that length of time. The victim's mother, Marilyn Behrman of Bloomington, said that she hoped anyone with possible information would contact police and let investigators determine whether it is helpful. "We just really need to find Jill," she said. "It is not just for us, it is for all her friends and the community." Even though searches by police and dozens of volunteers found nothing and many months have passed since Behrman's disappearance, Wasky said he still had hope that she was alive. "We are hoping to get the information we need and resolve it once and for all," he said. Bloomington residents still hold out hope that Behrman will be found. "People will be very much intersted in what happened to her," Bloomington resident Charles Hayes said. There is a $50,000 reward for Behrman's disappearance. If you have any information, you can call the FBI at 812-332-9275.