Charlene and Robert Spierer returned to Bloomington from New York as the one-year anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance neared.

Special Section: Lauren Spierer

In an interview with The Journal News, a New York-based newspaper, Charlene Spierer gave a different answer than she had in previous interviews when asked if she believed her daughter was still alive.

“I don’t,” she said.

“We’re trying to be realistic,” Robert Spierer said. “We know that if she had the chance to reach out to us, she would have done it.”

More than 10 months after her disappearance, Spierer’s parents are continuing to push their effort to find their daughter and bring justice to whoever was responsible for her disappearance.

Investigators said Spierer and a person of interest, Corey Rossman, were together at Kilroy's, a local bar, before her disappearance. Witnesses told police that Spierer was highly intoxicated and left her phone and shoes at the bar before stumbling out with Rossman.

Through his attorney, Rossman claimed he was assaulted and has no memory of what happened that evening.

“I feel if she never met Corey Rossman, she’d be alive today,” Robert Spierer said. “His claim of memory loss is laughable. He’s a perfect example of someone who only cares about self-preservation, without any thought for another human being.”

The family asked people with information to contact their private investigator, Beau Dietl Associates, at 800-777-9366 or the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477.

A $250,000 award is being offered for information leading to Lauren's whereabouts, officials said.