Hundreds travel to Mountwood Park in search of Gretchen Fleming News, sports, jobs

Parkersburg resident Angie Burroughs, right, talks to Elizabeth resident Ruth Mullincks and Vienna resident Rose Roberts, Gretchen Fleming’s aunts, as they conduct a large-scale search Saturday in Mountwood Park. Fleming has been missing since December 4th. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG – Between 450 and 500 people searched Mountwood Park on Saturday as the investigation into the disappearance of Gretchen Fleming continues.

Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board said Saturday afternoon “Nothing real found.” And the investigation is ongoing. Fleming, 28, of Vienna, thanked the community for supporting the unit since she disappeared Dec. 12.

“Since the beginning of the investigation, we have had leaders asking us for leadership.” Board said.

At the beginning of last week, the department asked for volunteers to help search “Weakened, forested land.” The specific location was not announced, but when volunteers arrived at the Second Street parking lot between the flood wall and the Wood County Justice Center early Saturday morning, they were directed to Mountwood Park, a 2,500-acre county-owned park east of Parkersburg.

The place is decided “Tips I’ve Got in the Last Two Weeks” said Det. JM Zimmerman, the lead investigator on the case.

Marietta residents Ryan Matheny, left, and Melissa Sterling walk in front of a group of volunteers as they return from a search of the Mountwood Park area Saturday afternoon. Between 450 and 500 volunteers went out to help in the search for Gretchen Fleming. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“Due to the large area we have to search, we thought it would be important to get as many people as we could to help with the search.” He said Saturday morning.

Fleming was last seen on the morning of December 4th at My Way Lounge in downtown Parkersburg. Police say they have a person of interest in the case, who was seen on video leaving My Way with Filming. The man was not charged in the case, the police did not release his name.

Saturday’s search was managed by the Mountain Area Rescue Team, an all-volunteer search and rescue organization based in Morgantown. The members help with various missing-person searches and coordinate large-scale search efforts like Saturday’s, said Doug Moore, the group’s search manager.

Mountain area rescue team members appointed as field team leaders or other leaders, then briefed the volunteer team in which areas and how to search. Boarded from two different places in the park, one near the entrance and one at the visitor center and museum.

Fleming’s grandparents, Louise and Phil Fleming, who live with him, were at the park for the search.

Gretchen Fleming

“We’re not leaving until the last person in.” Louise said.

Louise Fleming said the situation is becoming more difficult to cope with every day, but she is grateful for the prayers and other support from the community.

“I never realized how great they are until you have something like this and they come and help you.” She said.

Other members of Gretchen Fleming’s family gathered at the park to participate in the search or hand out food and drinks to volunteers. Louise Fleming had one of her nieces fly in from Georgia to be there.

Louise Fleming said she had mixed feelings about the day, hoping for answers but dreading what it might mean.

A volunteer gives directions as volunteers search for missing Gretchen Fleming in Mountwood Park Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“I want out of this nightmare.” She said.

Parkersburg resident Angie Barrows was among those who volunteered for the search.

“It warms your heart.” She talked about the participants. There are still many good people left.

The board said searches were being completed around 5 p.m. Saturday.

The board thanked the Mountain Area Rescue Squad and volunteers, as well as businesses — including Little Caesars, Peoples Bank and Bodega — that offered respite to searchers. Some citizens donated snacks and drinks.

Parkersburg Police Detective JM Zimmerman, third from right, speaks with volunteers in the search for Gretsch Fleming Saturday morning in downtown Parkersburg. Volunteers were then directed to Monwood Park, where the search continued until around 5pm (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The board also thanked the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Derwack Volunteer Fire Department and Mountwood Park crews for their assistance in the search, as well as the Wheeling Police Department, whose officers brought in a drone.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.