Search for Whitney: 'We're not giving up'
GRESHAM, Ore. -- The mother of missing 21-year-old Whitney Heichel made an emotional plea to the public on Thursday to help find her daughter.
At a media briefing at Gresham City Hall, Lorilei Ritmiller said she was speaking out to both show support for Heichel's husband Clint and to reiterate that Heichel is beloved in her tight-knit community. She implored anyone with information to call police.
"She's sunshine in our heart," Ritmiller said. "She's gentle. She's compassionate ... She's this compassionate laughing person. Her heart's as big as the sun ... This is just a great human being. This is a person you'd think no one could ever hurt."
Ritmiller said Heichel was at her house on Monday, the night before she disappeared. The family was preparing for an upcoming wedding. She said her daughter was talking about her future, noting her desire to be a mother.
"That was her biggest hope -- to have babies," she said.
After Ritmiller spoke, Heichel's husband made his way to the podium. After showing little emotion while family spokesperson Jim Vaughn, Gresham Police Department Lt. Claudio Grandjean and Gresham Police Chief Craig Juninger addressed the media, Clint Heichel reached the podium and broke down in tears.
After being comforted by Juninger, Heichel eventually left the podium without giving a statement.
Whitney Heichel went missing Tuesday after she failed to arrived at her job at a nearby Starbucks. Gresham police called her disappearance "suspicious" and Grandjean reiterated that again Thursday, citing the nature of her disappearance.
"Generally speaking, stranger-on-stranger crime is not very common," Grandjean said.
Know something? Call the Gresham Police tip line: (503) 618-2719
Still, investigators have several theories they are working through, but all possibilities remain open, Grandjean said.
"We're not giving up," said family spokesman Jim Vaughn. "We're keeping positive about this whole situation."
A Starbucks spokeswoman said the company is "deeply concerned" about Whitney and that they are working with investigators to help in any way possible.
Starbucks is letting the family and police put missing person flyers in their stores.
Hopeful for the safe return of Whitney Heichel. We’re working to support authorities, family & friends at this difficult time. #findwhitney
— Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) October 18, 2012
Whitney's Ford Explorer was found abandoned at around 11 a.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of the Wood Village Walmart at 23500 N.E. Sandy Boulevard. The passenger side window was smashed and the tires were muddy.
Investigators searched Dodge Park in Clackamas County, and spent all day Thursday searching Larch Mountain. Grandjean said investigators will continue to canvass the Heichel's neighborhood.
In a briefing on Thursday afternoon, Grandjean said investigators found "some important items" during their search, although he would not elaborate.
Investigators have also pulled and reviewed video in areas of Wood Village, Fairview and Troutdale where they think Heichel was Tuesday morning.
"We've found video that's been helpful for us," Grandjean said, although he refused to comment further on specifics. Both Starbucks and WalMart, along with other businesses, have provided police with lots of security footage.
Grandjean said tips have been pouring into the police department's tip line, saying that 25 new tips came in Wednesday yesterday. Around two dozen more came in on Thursday.
“The evidence and leads have not gone cold," Grandjean said. "The goal is to find her.”
Panorama view of the search scene on Larch Mountain:
Okay all you who have been bashing Clint... where is your apology? I'm waiting. . . and so are Clint and his family and friends. Shame on you all!
who use debit card at 9:14???
Naaa something is wrong here and if i was the police EZ to find her, first cameras all arround the closest stores and oficces ro building they are going to the parks the person that atack her and smash the windows could be some person that knows what time she leaves to work because she works everyday there so does mean the person knows her alot they find her purse, she has an iPhone??? iPhone has GPS right??whre was the truck walmart?? ok they have alot cameras right, other stores and offices close to this store has cameras so you can find who got her and why..i dont think they will gonna find her at parks...
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@HarryJuku I agree with you... sad story.
It looks like the crazies have pulled out on the penny train for the night :P ! To Whitney's family my thoughts and prayers are with you that you are united with your loved one safe and sound. To Whitney your in my prayers for your safe return where ever you may be.
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I really hope she is found safe. Sending all the good thoughts and prayers I can to her, and her family.
Dear Ms.Cook ,no one has to shut up....You have your OPINION and thats what it is,an opinion.And others have their opinion.Clint the "husband" acted very shady that is a fact,he did slip up and say she is so young and just starting her life , and its just too bad pause.....hope she is OK. I personally think she is alive , gone as in ran away but alive.
 @Sabrina Strubel Hi ..... any remarks you'd like to add, in light of recent developments? We're curious as to how much of a gutless coward you are. I'm guessing a total loser, but maybe you'll have something to say for yourself??
@Sabrina Strubel That was the interview that bothered me the most too... I don't get how other people aren't seeing this...
 @Sabrina Strubel Penny for your thoughts? LOL!
 @badcat  @Sabrina Strubel Somehow I feel if we gave her a penny for her thoughts we would get change back.....
 @Sabrina Strubel Oh look penny got a new alt ! Everyone clap the troll can use a computer !
I am not sure why you put husband in quotes lol I think bad cat may be right ! Someone has such a hate on for someone they do not even know !
Dear Lorelei I am so sorry to find out that it is your daughter missing. I've been saying prayers for her since the minute I heard and will continue to do so. Â I hope for the best. Â My continued prayers from a former client of yours.
Noone owes you anything! You are not anyone! Noone has to prove to you he is ruled out as a suspect! Noone cares if you think he did it. Go ahead and think he did it. Everyone can laugh at you in the end because of how stupid you have acted on here thinking someone owed you the facts of if he was ruled out or not. That is all I have read on here from some of  you, if he has been ruled out or not. You don't know them, noone knows you, the police don't care who you are, noone does SO SHUT UP! The people that matter, if he is ruled out as a suspect will know that information, the detectives will figure out what happen and get the evidence. If you guys really cared and want to help instead of running your mouth and wasting oxygen, you could stop all this and say a prayer for the family, hand out some flyers, post her missing poster online, ask how you can help with the search or see how you can help in any other way. What your doing on here isn't helping bringing her home. You call yourself grown adults? Stop acting like high schoolers and Grow the hell up. You all should be ashamed of yourself. Yes this is a public forum, yes there is freedom of speech, but there is respect and I hope that none of you ever have a loved one go missing and have to read stuff like this. Just remember what comes around goes around and karma. Hope it doesn't catch up with you one day and bite you in the ass.
@Wendy Cook Noone isn't a word, but then I defend your first amendment rights to misspell and make up words.
For those who have been sitting here suggesting that this poor man is acting strange, that he is guilty that he should be crying his eyes out have you forgotten that as a society we tell me be strong, suck it up , deal with it be a big boy don't cry walk it off and many many many other tripe they deal with maybe he is staying strong for his wife. Maybe in there denomination men don't cry in public, maybe its shock maybe he has cried so long and so hard he is out of tears and numb. Plain and simple until the cops say person of interest... your still a bunch of arm chair detectives with nothing better to do then troll a news site...
@Trainwife Yep, this sad case surely shows profiling may be a good general, statistical tool but is a complete waste of time in a specific case. Of course the husband/boyfriend is confirmed or eliminated first. In this case, detectives were more on the side of eliminated than confirmed. Only bad cops and armchair male-bashers keep plugging a "profile" blindly.
Anyone else thing Matteroffact and little wing were created to help penny troll! Both are new accounts started today and onnnnly have comments on this case ! Oh wait I know we can point guilty fingers for no reason to ! I suspect anyone who's suspecting the husband ! Drag them in for questioning they are guilty have to be have nothing better to do then troll a news story about a missing girl blaming innocent men!
 @Trainwife You're 100% correct -- all the same stupid troll. One is the ringleader, one is the ponderer who just happens to agree, and the saddest puppet of all -- wingbat -- is the bootlick "yeah, yeah, boss, yeah, just like you said" cartoon style bloated buffoon kiss up. Not a very well scripted threesome, but it's working for Penny so far. You know what they say -- she who smelt it, dealt it! And I love that she was the first to accuse, because it's all the proof I need of her guilt. LOL
Her cell phone found at Troutdale Terrace Apartments, tonite?? kptv news
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 @matterfact I hope and pray, Matterfact! This case is getting so weird.Â
 @LittleWing you are such a detective figure that out! Do you think he told the police he had to run so he could drop her car off?
 @LittleWing Tuesday, 9:56 a.m.: Clint Heichel, Whitney's husband, calls 9-1-1. Tuesday, 11:17 a.m.: Whitney's Ford Explorer is left in the parking lot of The Walmart at 23500 N.E. Sandy in Wood Village.
 @Penny You're a liar. You never exchanged word one with her. You just found out that she posted a few comments, and have been foaming at the mouth for the opportunity to say something relevant ever since. You are 100% full of BS and I dare you to prove otherwise. No proof? Then you are a the liar I say you are. We all await the proof of your statements. You sad, sad, pathetic liar. Peh!
 @Trainwife By Penny's own logic, we can surmise that she's some horse-faced troll who had a crush on Clint back in high school, and is here online trying to frame him for murder because he wasn't interested in a girl with a butter-face. It only makes sense when you consider the potential motivation for someone so dedicated to assassinating his character in such sad circumstances. Plus, she's completely delusional and thinks that she's boxing Terri Horman..... so sad. =(
 @LittleWing I went a few rounds with the red squirrel, also. Isn't it so similar??Â
 @badcat  @Penny  @littlewing I still think penny has multiple personalities :D aka alt profiles or at least some realllly not so bright followers . Anyone ever heard the expression Penny for your thoughts.... in this case can we just pay her a dime call it even and shut her up!
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 @Penny  @littlewing We'll all be anxiously awaiting your apologies when LE confirms his innocence. If you're not a complete coward and total POS, you'll have a statement prepared. I'm looking forward to it. =)
 @littlewing The rumor being, that hubby had an alibi.Â
 @LittleWing Funny how you "free speech" maniacs hate all the other Amendments to the Constitution. I'll leave you to your torches and pitchforks, and be thankful you're too much of a coward to actually carry out your bloodlust and witchhunts. My regards to your friends in the rabies ward.
@littlewing I believe that is a rumor spun by the loudest ones here, who are protecting others or perhaps themselves. Curious!Â
So, you can neither confirm or deny the answer...anyhow, dont you have a "I love Terri Horman" thread to go post on?
 @LittleWing See, I knew you were classy, wingbat. Keep it comin'. ;)
Also, Im curious, I keep reading in comments that Clint was with Whitney's parents at the of the gas station transaction...Can that be confirmed? If so, it might change how I am thinking about this.
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 @LittleWing All about city limits.  At the north end, is Troutdale.  A block or two after those apartments where the phone was found, is Gresham. (Where Mt Hood Community College is.  The Shell station in the story, is right across the street from the school.) Go south about 3 miles, and you hit the Starbucks, where her apartment complex is just a few minutes after.  Scary to think of all this, because I live in the vicinity as well, and have kids!
They didnt mention a text from a Clint.
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I read that too, and that there were texts on the phone from her Uncle and from a Scott asking where she was at. Troutdale Terrace is on 257th, is her apartment also off of 257 but in Gresham?Â
Look I know Clint very well! HE DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS! He is in shock that's what your seeing! Hes sad and worried and doesn't know what to think! Dont try to turn this into something it is not! He is and has always been peaceful and has loved his wife since the day they met! How do you expect him to act? Hes devastated. PERIOD!Â
@Pdxpower If you would be so kind as to provide me with Clint's alibi....
Can it be confirmed that Clint was with the parents when the Explorer was seen at the gas station? Im getting confused, if he can be confirmed as being with them, this might change how I view things.
 @LittleWing No one cares how you view things. You're the bootlick to Penny's attempt at a lynch mob, when this poor guy is suffering beyond belief. Just shut up already. You do not matter one iota in this equation. Get a life and go to bed.
 @LittleWing Does it really matter how you view things in the long run of things the family does not need to comment to convince the couch lynch mob and would be detective wannabes about his role in this if the police believed he was the man in the vid he would have been taken in already.
I would like to know if the gas tank was full or near full when they found the vehicle.
'matterfact' - You are too astute for the folks that believe in a happy ending. After attending an FBI class to spot liars, this guy fits too many profiles. Watch his eyes - if he looks to his right he is most likely lying and if he looks to his left he might be telling the truth. Does not always work with pathological liars that believe their own lies like politicians - seriously, and not editorializing...
@boned Again, this shows what happens when fools misuse a general tool such as profiling. No real agent or cops clings blindly to it in specific cases. Your misplaced modifier has "this guy" attending FBI classes. Ha ha ha, That makes more sense than Boned ever attending one--at least awake.
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 @matterfact I think her husband has a real bad feeling too ... because he knows that sweet Whitney would never just disappear for no reason. He's coming to terms with the most horrific thing that could happen to anyone.
 @matterfact Me too Matterfact. At least someone with sense is commenting.Â
 @Penny Got any more "sense" to comment with? Seems your fellow trolls are back-peddling, deleting and apologizing in droves. What say you, Queen of the Harpes?
MCSO should be able to find Whitney rather quickly, dont you think? That is what they are paid to do.
So we know that Leah Martin (by their own admission) is a fake account and probably Samasever, who else is fake out there, and commenting?Â
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 @badcat She may not be worthless for much but I haven't laughed so hard over someone's insane case of paranoid in a long time!!Â
 @Penny  @SameasEver  @badcat No reason? That's sad cause you sure have a bad case of it!
 @SameasEver  @badcat Why should I have reason for paranoia? Do you?Â
 @badcat hmmmmmm
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 @Penny Really Penny? All I said was I have another account. That doesn't mean anything and has nothing to do with finding Whitney. You sound like a Troll, that just wants to thrive on bringing people down.
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Leah Martin, Please don't waste your time. Some people just love drama, its just a way to get you worked up. Ask yourself is this giving a good Witness to our God to debate with unreasonable people? The truth will come out. Put your trust in our Creator.
 @Leah Martin hmmmmm
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 @Penny whatever you are just a troll. I'm done with you. This thread is about finding Whitney, so please get back into your little hide-a-way and leave us alone. Whitney needs to be found and that's all that matters. No one cares about what you have to say about stupid stuff.
 @Penny Horrible AND Petty; classy!!!
 @SameasEver hmmmmm