Spierer search to air on television's America’s Most Wanted

The search for Lauren Spierer is about to get bigger.

Lauren’s case will be aired on America’s Most Wanted on Saturday. The Bloomington Police Department is bringing in a tip management program because they’ve been told there is usually an increase in tips after the program airs.

Lt. Bill Parker also announced that U.S. Marshals would assist in the search, but he would not say what role they would play.

Although BPD has viewed video material from Smallwood and other surrounding areas, they are asking businesses between Smallwood Plaza and 11th and College to turn over any video they might have of the area.

“If you have any video material, no matter how insignificant you think it is, please let the police look it over,” Lauren’s father, Robert Spierer, said.

A dive team has spent the past two days searching Lake Monroe with negative results. The dive team will be sent out again today.

Lt. Parker also said that Lauren's boyfriend, Jesse Wolff, was among the persons of interest in the case.

BPD issued a checkpoint starting at about 3:30 a.m. Friday on College Avenue between 10th and 11th streets. About 135 cars were pulled over while BPD asked if the area is someplace they normally come through at that point of the day. Lt. Parker said the search was not intrusive and didn’t lead to any results.

Although downtown Bloomington has been searched by police and community volunteers, Parker said he’ll never feel it’s completely covered.

Lauren’s father said more searches will begin going outside of the town limits.
“If anyone asks to search your property on horseback or foot, I beg of you to please let them,” Lauren’s father said.

The Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Scholar’s Inn will be offering discounted rates to people coming into town to help search for Lauren.

At the time of the press conference, there were still no suspects. BPD also said the last time they can confirm Lauren’s whereabouts on video is between 10th and 11th Streets between apartment buildings when she was heading to a friend’s residence.

If anyone has information or any tips about Lauren’s whereabouts, they can contact America’s Most Wanted at 1-800-CRIMETV, and BPD can be reached at 812-339-4477 and by email at policetips@bloomington.in.gov.
“We’re not losing hope. We certainly want to find her alive,” Parker said.