UPDATE: New focus for search for missing mom

The Colorado Spring Fire Department and other agencies have spent two days searching for the mom of a deceased Air Force Academy cadet, but there is still no sign of her.

At a media briefing Friday afternoon, crews said they are now focusing on the west side of the Stratton Open Space. A witness reported seeing the woman “alive and well” an Arroyo Grande Trail Wednesday.

Police say Ksenia Quiros is the mother of an Air Force Academy cadet found dead in his dorm room earlier this month. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is looking into Cadet 1st Class Alexandre Quiros’ death but say it’s not a criminal investigation.

Multi Mission Aircraft with infrared technology and Civil Air Patrol joined the search Friday. Fire Chief Chris Riley said weather conditions had prevented them from using air crews before then. On Thursday, firefighters, motorcycles, brush trucks and heavy rescue teams were part of the search.

“We are launching every piece of equipment and we’re utilizing every bit of our skill and training to handle the myriad of challenges that we’re facing right now in terms of in finding this person,” Riley said. “We’re doing everything we can.”

He said because of the low temperatures Wednesday and Thursday, there is a concern of hypothermia. Still, he said crews are hopeful. They are treating this as a rescue until proven otherwise.

Volunteers have also been searching for Quiros. Jordana Land was one of many volunteers. She brought some of Quiros’s clothing for dogs to sniff and track her scent.

“Ksenia is a wonderful woman, she’s a wonderful mother, a wonderful wife, very caring, and we just want her found,” she said.

If you know anything about her whereabouts, call Colorado Springs Police at (719) 444-7000.