Schelling searchers scour Beulah

Up hillsides, down mountains and on horseback, the search for any evidence in the Kelsie Schelling investigation continued in Beulah Saturday.

Cellphone pings and unaccounted mileage on Schelling’s car led the search party to the area. “The only way we’re going to find her is if we look, and so that’s ultimately why we do what we do,” searcher Laurie Ann Riddock said. About 50 people came from across the region to help the search effort, including a group of experienced rock climbers. “There’s a lot of steep woods straight off the road, so I think there would be places that things are going to go down hill,” searcher Dru Marshall said.

T he searchers want everyone to be aware, whether out in an area hiking or hunting, to keep his or her eyes open for anything suspicious. “Go for a walk with a purpose, you know, enjoy the scenery, and at the same time you can bring closure to somebody’s nightmare,” Riddock said. The searchers spread out to cover the most amount of ground in hopes that Schelling’s family won’t have to spend another holiday season without her. “It just warms my heart that so many people care, so many people want the same thing,” searcher Kathy McDowell said. No evidence was found in Saturday’s search, but the search will not stop here. “We need to bring her home,” McDowell said. Donthe Lucas was set to appear in court Monday on homicide charges for Schelling. He has waived that hearing and will now appear on J an 22.