Search continues for woman gone missing on way to work
WOOD VILLAGE, Ore. – Clint Heichel describes his 21-year-old wife as sweet and dependable.
"She's beautiful, and she's a little ball of energy and full of life," he said about Whitney, who left for work Tuesday morning and hasn't been seen since. Police are calling her disappearance suspicious.
Clint said when she left for work nothing was unusual.
"She got ready – her normal thing – got up and just kissed me goodbye. I woke up and said, 'I'll see you when you get home,'" he said.
Friends found Whitney's abandoned SUV just after 11 a.m. in the parking lot of the Wood Village Walmart – about five miles from her home – while passing out missing-person fliers.
Whitney's black 1999 Ford Explorer was backed into a parking space in the back corner of the lot with the passenger-side window shattered.
Police searched a dumpster in the same parking lot, looking for clues.
Clint said he and Whitney only live a couple of minutes from where she works at a Starbucks. But he said she never made it for her 7 a.m. shift.
"(At) about 8:15 her boss called me and said, 'Hey, I was just curious, did Whitney decide to be sick or not feeling well? Have you seen her or talked to her?'"
Clint said bank records show her ATM card was used at local gas stations.
"One at 9:22 and then one at about 9:30, which was kind of odd – both for gas eight minutes apart," he said.
Right now, police are only confirming the charge at a Shell station on 257th and Stark.
Police believe the SUV may have been in the east Multnomah County area, east of Gresham and possibly in Sandy between 6:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.
They are asking anyone who may have seen the SUV during that time to call the Gresham Police Department tip line at 503-618-2719.
The SUV is a black 1999 Ford Explorer with tinted taillights and the Oregon license plate 189 EJZ.
At some point, the front passenger side window of the SUV was smashed out. Police said the SUV may have been driving with the broken window that may have appeared to be rolled down.
Clint said something just doesn't add up on the surveillance video of Whitney's SUV at the Shell.
"There's no reason she should be coming up from there, and it was at 9:13, I think, when her truck pulled in there," he said.
Clint said he's just trying to stay strong while waiting for any word from Whitney.
"You hope the best and just never give up – we won't give up until she's found," he said.
Clint said they are hiring a private searcher to come scour different locations.
Police are asking anyone who might have seen Whitney (who is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds) to call the Gresham Police Tip Line at (503) 618-2719.
There is also a Facebook page dedicated to the search for Whitney.
I was one of those people who suspected Clinton. I am profoundly sad that  Whitney was found murdered. Please do not beat me up. I have personal and specific reasons for feeling that Clinton may have been suspect, but I was wrong and I am terribly sorry. God forgive me, I am human. I am exceedingly heartbroken. For me, I swear that Whitney resembled my dearest friend so closely. I apologize profoundly.
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I do hope that Jonathan Holt pleads guilty for his unspeakable crime. Please, do not beat those up who made comments about Clinton. Even those who are FBI experts were suspecting Clinton. He obviously had some issues that they noted. Just please know that the unfortunate people who commented about Clinton's possible guilt really were thinking of Whitney. Â Some of the people who negatively commented are FBI experts (Seriously). They have had years of experience with deception analysis and their opinions should not be discounted. Still, they are human and judgement of them should always be reserved until the jurors hear the entire case.
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Whitney is a beautiful young woman who was take from this world far too soon. I cannot speak for all that put forth opinions about Clinton's guilt. But, I was one of them. For me, I am very, very sorry. I had my reasons.
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Rest in Sweet Peace Whitney. You are loved deeply. Â
psftt.. All you people who blamed the husband.... incredible. How do you feel now?
 @FireLogic Horrible, how do you think some would feel?
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I hate to say this, I REALLY do...but I just have a gut feeling that the husband does know or was involved with something. Perhaps he was having an affair, perhaps life insurance? Who knows. Â From the looks of her Facebook page and HER comments, you can tell she was crazy in love with him, so I highly doubt she just ran off. She doesn't come across as that type of person. Â Something is fishy and I am sure the cops will eventually get to the bottom of it. Â I do not personally know them, Â and everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I truly hope that he had NOTHING to do with it. Â I am sure he will have to undergo polygraphs and some intense questioning before this is over. I really hope she is found alive and safe though! Â She looks so sweet and kind, not to mention beautiful. Why would anyone hurt her in the first place?
 @Shawnie Campbell I do personally know them, He had nothing to do with it. Keep in mind that he was with her family, looking for Whitney while her debit card was being used by someone.
The FBI is most likely working on this case. I am sure that they check the cameras at the gas station. With the wal-mart cameras, it depends in what part of the parking lot..her truck was found in. Some of the cameras in parking lots don't view the whole entire lot.
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I think the husband has something to do with her disappearance. If she was taken from outside of the home, he would have heard something. Unless "whoever" took her..smacked her upside the head with something..so she wouldn't struggle. But my bets are on the husband. He barely can look at the camera and his eyes keep going to the left...he is lying his butt off.Â
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Two different gas stations? I bet one stop was to fuel up the SUV and the other one may have been to fill up a gas can. There are plenty of cases where someone will burn their victim's body... (Sorry if this is too gruesome for some of you, but it's the truth).Â
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Ok this is PURE speculation on my part .... but maybe people who know her can answer to this POSSIBLE scenario, which is - Could she be capable of having an affair? And could she be capable of creating this scenario so that she and a boyfriend could run off together?
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Again, I don't know this woman, so this is PURE SPECULATION, but I'm just trying to look at all sides here.  I've just not seen anyone elude to it on any forums and sadly, it was one of the first things that popped into my head. It MIGHT explain the witness report that she was in the passenger seat at the gas station.  Unless she was being held captive, why did she stay seated?
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Just.....speculation.Â
And you have to look at what they did before calling 9-1-1 or after. A lot of times its their actions that wont be whatÂ
law enforcement  would call normal reactions. This is so hard on her love ones..not knowing where she is and
in condition she is in etc..I am sure the Gresham PD Â has called in help and they are good officers in GreshamÂ
if they have to check all of tri-met buses they would. And yes body language is a tool they use also.I also had the same thought at husbands interview he did seem well to care one way or the other did he??
The husbands body language is VERY BAD in many cases, non verbal communication says MUCH more then words could ever say. Some of the things he said in interviews are odd as well. Inparticular the interview he did outside where he said she is so young, just starting life and then started saying something bad happened to whitney, studdered and cought himself then said well hopefully nothing happened to her. I really hope the detectives check all the trimet bus cameras that went from walmart back into gresham  because it is quite possible the person who ditched her car at walmart cought a bus back into Gresham. My prayers go out to her family and friends, this is tragic and I hope it is solved very soon.
Don't forget  subjects are like a wheel,you start from inside or center of the wheel and work your way out from there.so husbands always checked first in these type of cases ,then loved ones then out from there.Hope and
pray she is found but also  know to expect the worse. I will keep her in my prayers  ..!!
this is all scary! hopefully they find her soon and safe!!!! I PRAY SHES ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES ANDÂ FOUND SAFE!!!!
Ugh, she's such a cutie, and just looks like she spreads happiness wherever she goes! So sad, so sad.
Everyone is of course going to assume the husband had something to do with it, but he doesn't look like he showered. The gel in his hair looks a day old and the clothes his wearing could easily be something he found on the floor and put on. Plus, he got a call at 8:15 from her boss, how do you know that he didn't get up and get ready for the day before he found out. I'm married and my husband would NEVER have anything to do with me going missing and I would hate it if people were blaming him. Could it be that he is just in complete disbelief that his wife is missing and trying his hardest not to break down ? Lets try to focus on finding her, not just blaming the closest person to her. Besides, if he did have anything to do with it, he is here with the police... they will take care of that.
@Nicole Lentz I agree! The news are such exaggerators!! They said it took him 3 hrs to report it. He got the phone call at 8:15 and reported her at 10. I'm sure he wanted to make sure she was actually missing before calling the police and looking like a fool later if she came home because she decided to play hooky from work. Plus, I thought you had to wait 24 hrs? Having cameras in your face isn't a comfortable thing.
 @Nicole Lentz how do you know that your husband would never make you 'disappear'? I am sure this young lady thought the same thing...
 @Nicole Lentz And we're not "just blaming the closest person to her". We (or I, at least) are speculating about his possible involvement based on his statements and demeanor.
 @Nicole Lentz And I am positive that Lacey Peterson, thought Scott would never hurt her, likewise with  Mary Jane Longo probably never thought that Christian would kill her and the children, and Renee Morris I am pretty sure never dreamed her husband Edward would kill her and their children. That's is just three that come to mind, then there is Drew Peterson and the Josh Powell.Â
 @Nicole Lentz This is a forum for open discussion. It's not out job to "find" her, and I assure you the police are not looking to us for help. It is entirely appropriate for posters to speculate about what happened, including the possible involvement of her husband.
That being the case consider this:
People handle stressful situations differently. He seems to be in shock. And wouldn't you agree that his message of trying to find his wife is more important than a display of emotions? Perhaps the whole time he is saying a silent prayer just to stay calm so people can hear his story and find his wife. Prayer can be very powerful for people who believe God is listening. 2 Corinthians 4:7: ...
"that the power beyond what is normal may be Godâs and not that out of ourselves".
Matthew 19:26:
âWith men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.â
@felines99 @Charm90 Speculating and playing the blame game isn't helpful though. And I think more specifically, hurtful to those who are innocent and close to her.
Point is, while I agree speculation is perfectly normal, we have to look at it from all angles and perspectives, be objective. Isn't that what speculation is? Merely giving my speculation as to a calm demeanor.Â
No one on here has all the facts. Police purposely withhold information that may hinder their investigation.Â
 @Charm90 What's your point??? My comment was to the effect that it is entirely appropriate for people using this forum, to speculate on this matter.
Her Husband is full of it. I just saw a different version of this interview on the 6pm news and he says in reference to her disappearance, "it's too bad that, well hopefully nothing bad has happened". Um, tell us what you were really going say?? He showed no emotion whatsoever. If someone I loved was missing especially under these suspicious circumstances I would be hysterical. His story isn't adding up. I hope she is found alive and safe.
 @Shannon I agree...he is emotion-less.Â
@Shannon If the role were reversed, and your hubby was trying to find you, and was doing interviews while in shock, how would you feel if you heard other people speaking like this about him?
Keep in mind also that the media only uses sound bites. Not entire interviews and no footage of before or after the interviews. It is entirely possible you along with everyone else missed his emotional breakdown. Speculation is perfectly normal. But you have to look at it from all angles and perspectives.Â
 @Shannon Do you even know her husband? All you've seen are a couple interviews of him. Please keep you idiocy to yourself.
And this is the area where not more than 2 miles down the road, they want to place THE GRANGE! Â Two miles away from that, Kay Jeweler was just robbed.
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Hope this girl is found. The gas station they mention, is just across the street from Mt. Hood Community College- just down the street from Reynolds High School.
the gas station is right down the road from me! scary thought. I never leave alone.
 @My2Cents What exactly does the Grange have to do with this young ladies disappearance or the fact that Kay's Jewelers was robbed?, unless of course you are saying that the proponents are behind either or both of these crimes,
No cameras in the walmart parking lot?? no one seen the rig getting parked.. in that town??
Her cell was giving signals from that park in Sandy so either someone has her cell or she was there...sad to think ..but sumpin is not right...
Husband looked very well put together. When she left for work he woke up to kiss her goodby. I mean would you get up gel your hair [ alot ] put on a nice jacket ?? If your spouse was missing ? Most people would barely be able to put clothes on correctly.She looks like a nice naive girl , he on the other hand looks like a shifty eyed scoundrel.
 @Tami Chavez Yes, lack of emotion there, but they're Jehovah's Witnesses = all's in G-d's Hands, so even if the worst happened, there was a Reason or it's all in a Bigger Plan.
IMHO, the members of this cult remind me of "The Stepford Wives"....sort of permanent smile/emotional zombies...good people, but willingly subjecting themselves to this conflicted, concocted [in the 1800s much like mormonism or say Scientology], mind rape of a 'limited membership religious club' that you cannot leave for fear of retribution (i.e. family and friends can never associate with or have contact with you again-like you cease to exist if you try to cancel your membership).
 @Nuclearelectriccng Economy  @Tami Chavez you don't know what your talking about at ALL! ...  If you did you would know that the belief is NOT that GOD causes these things to happen. Mankind is imperfect and there is evil in this world. Maybe you should have a bible study the next time they come around. If for nothing else, you will know what your talking about when you make a comment about their beliefs, and not look like the FOOL like you are!!! Â
God's plan? Â Limited membership religious club? Cancel your membership? ... really, you have NO clue what you are talking about!
 @Nuclearelectriccng Economy what does being a Jehovah's witness have to do with anything?Â
 @Nuclearelectriccng Economy  @Tami Chavez Um hello; your "facts" are seriously messed up.  I have family who are Jehovah's Witnesses and they do NOT believe there's a reason for it or a bigger plan.  They say it's "unforseen occurrences that befall us all" - Ya know kinda like the Bible says.  If you're gonna be a hater at least be an accurate one!!!
 @Nuclearelectriccng Economy  @Tami Chavez Take your religious agenda somewhere else. Let's focus on the horrible events this family is going through and hope Whitney is okay somewhere.
I was thinking same thing.. he sure dont seem too shook up..sumpin is smelling like a rat...
Wasn't there a shooting at that walmart or one close? Our one here near seattle is a total dumpster due to the easy access to I5 thus the riffraff showing up and the addicts...go to a secluded one and no problem, safe, etc. More people = more chance for crime.
Out of concern, we all want to help and figure this out ASAP. Even though the odds often point to the husband, be very careful before jumping to conclusions. Until proven otherwise, he is a victim too. His whereabouts after the Starbucks call have no doubt already been verified by investigators. If he was with parents, looking for her while her credit card is being swiped at a gas station elsewhere, he's not a likely suspect, is he....
Does anyone else think it's odd that she would be reported missing after only being 3 hours late to work? I suppose there could have been a lot of attempted phone calls, unanswered, in that short time and would cause enough worry to call 911. But just kinda seems fast to report a missing person after only 3 hours? Hope she's okay and this ends happily.
 @jasony .. it was really only 1 1/2 hours... he gets call at  8:15 from the manager and calls police at 9:45  .. and no, not suspicious at all. They were a happy couple, no problems and she was VERY reliable. So, when you can't contact someone in that situation, and her parents haven't seen her, she's not at the hospital .. you call police. NO brainer! .. same as when the window is broken, the debit card is used, mud on the tires etc etc ... yea, doesn't take a rocket scientist to know something bad has happened. Whitney .. your in our prayers ...
 @jasony My wife goes to work like clockwork. If her boss ever called me and told me she never showed up, I would KNOW something was wrong. Immediately. Not 3 hours later, RIGHT THEN AND THERE, believe it.
Yeah to someone that doesn't answer their phone often it may be odd but for someone where this is completely out of character than no it isn't odd. She always showed up to work on time and someone that talked to her often throughout the day didn't answer you best believe I would be worried. Let's get real people why jump to all the conclusions if you have never gone through this before you have no idea what emotions he is feeling. This is someones daughter, wife and sister. Think of how you would feel if something like this happened to someone close to you.
 @nfubs @brautigan Hey I'm really sorry, I read too fast and feel bad about my shoot-from-the-hip comment.
 @jasony Are you married?  If I couldn't find my husband for 3 hours, I'd freak out.  It isn't that she went to work and he couldn't get a hold of her, her work waited over an hour, then called and after 2hrs of trying to find her, there was nothing.... I'd have done the same.  Especially living in the city and with how fast things happen and how many people go missing that are never found.  He was smart, in my opinion to call and get the ball rolling.  Obviously the police agree'd because they started the ball rolling on their end, also.
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@junegirl07 @jasony she was missing a total of three hours but he didn't get the phone call until 8:15 and reported her at 10am. Isn't it 24 hrs before you can file a missing person??? I think he did what I would have done. Called my spouse and call around family and friends before I reported him missing.
 @junegirl07  @jasony After her work called Him, Clint tried to call Whitney. He then called her friends and family to try to find her. Then they called the local hospitals, and then the police.....If anyone knows them as i do they know Clint has nothing to do with it. He was searching for her with her family while her debit card was being used.
@afriend he did what any reasonable person would have done, call around and make sure shes actually missing before reporting her. It's just more fun and ratings for the media to blame the husband. I'm sorry as a friend of this family you have to read this garbage but don't cast your pearls before swines. We are praying for her safe return and for Holy Spirit to be upon the family to give them courage and comfort. :)
@afriend @junegirl07 @jasony And that all sounds like the normal habits of someone going through what is happening around him.
 @afriend  @junegirl07 I missed the part about him getting called by her work. My bad. Makes total sense now.