Leisha Hurst, 30 Msg 01/22/09, Barstow CA (Jeami Chiapulis convicted for her murder)

[sarahhod]

Police search for missing woman

Police are investigating the disappearance of a woman who has not been seen or heard from since Thursday.
Leisha Hurst was reported missing to the Police Department after the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department discovered her orange/rust colored Honda Element abandoned in the area of Olive Street and Second Street in Hesperia, according to a Police Department news release.
The vehicle was found with the windows down and the key in the ignition. Hurst was scheduled and is believed to have attended a class at the University of La Verne satellite campus at Victor Valley College on Thursday evening, the release said. Her cell phone records show it was last used 10:54 p.m. Thursday night near the area of a cell tower at 11500 Mariposa Road in Hesperia. Hurst has not been seen or heard from since, the release said.
Barstow Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Hurst to contact Det. Keith Libby at (760) 256-2211 or the WeTip hot line at (800) 78-CRIME.

[Grande]

Missing Barstow woman's car found in Hesperia
January 26, 2009 - 11:31 AM
BY BEAU YARBROUGH
STAFF WRITER

A missing Barstow woman's car has been found in Hesperia.

Leisha Ann Hurst, 30, has been missing since Thursday, January 22. Hurst was last seen after dropping off her children at school prior to heading to a doctor's appointment in Loma Linda.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department found her orange and rust-colored Honda Element abandoned in Hesperia, near the intersection of Olive and Second Streets with the windows down and key in the ignition.

According to the Barstow Police, her cell phone was used shortly before 11 p.m. in Hesperia near 11500 Mariposa Road in Hesperia.

Hurst is a white female adult, 30 years old, and described at 5'6", 130 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about Hurst's whereabouts is asked to called Barstow Police Department Detective Keith Libby at 256-2211 or call the anonymous WE-TIP hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.

Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com.

http://www.hesperiastar.com/news/hes...tow_hurst.html

[sarahhod]

http://www.hesperiastar.com/news/hes...tow_hurst.html

[sarahhod]

Local single mother reported missing

Police find her car abandoned in Hesperia


January 26, 2009 - 4:12 PM
By CHARLES NGUYEN, staff writer



BARSTOW • A 30-year-old single Barstow mom was reported missing on Friday after San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies discovered her orange Honda Element abandoned in Hesperia.
Leisa Ann Hurst had a class scheduled at the University of Laverne satellite campus at Victor Valley College on Thursday evening, according to a police report. Police are still investigating whether Hurst attended her Thursday class.
The last sign of Hurst before she was reported missing was Thursday at about 11 p.m., according to a police report, when her cell phone was used in Hesperia. Detectives were able to locate its signal in the vicinity of a cell tower on Mariposa Road. Investigators have no further details on that call, Libby said.
Hurst’s car was found in the area of Olive Street and Second Street in Hesperia with no signs of damage or forced entry, according to Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby. The car’s windows were down and its key was still in the ignition, according to a police report.
Debra Walsh, Hurst’s mother, who lives in Arizona, said Hurst was studying to become an elementary school teacher. Hurst, a single mother, has a 12-year-old and 8-year-old daughter. Walsh said she and other relatives are currently in Barstow caring for the children.
“This is completely unusual,” Libby said of Hurst’s disappearance. “She hasn't left her kids for any extended periods of time.”
Walsh said she spoke regularly by telephone with Hurst, who lived in an apartment complex on Muriel Drive. Their last conversation happened last week and Hurst was talking about getting over a flu, Walsh said.
Hurst is described as 5 feet 6 inches and 130 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Police believe that they know someone who may have some connection to the case, according to Libby, but could not provide further details because the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.


http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/s...tow_local.html

[sarahhod]

Police find missing woman's car in Hesperia

Jan. 27--BARSTOW

--A 30-year-old single Barstow mom was reported missing on Friday after San Bernardino County Sheriff 's deputies discovered her orange Honda Element abandoned in Hesperia.

Leisha Ann Hurst had a class scheduled at the University of La Verne satellite campus at Victor Valley College on Thursday evening, according to a police report.

Police are still investigating whether Hurst attended her Thursday class.

The last sign of Hurst before she was reported missing was Thursday at about 11 p.m., according to a police report, when her cell phone was used in Hesperia. Detectives were able to locate its signal in the vicinity of a cell tower on Mariposa Road. Investigators have no further details on that call, said Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby

"This is completely unusual," Libby said of Hurst's disappearance. "She hasn't left her kids for any extended periods of time."

Walsh said she spoke regularly by telephone with Hurst, who lived in an apartment complex on Muriel Drive. Their last conversation happened last week and Hurst was talking about getting over a flu, Walsh said.

Hurst is described as 5 feet 6 inches and 130 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

Police believe they know someone who may have some connection to the case, according to Libby, but could not provide further details because the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact Libby at 760-256-2211. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1(800)78-CRIME or leave information on the WE -TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/01/27/3942831.htm

[sarahhod]

Police seek info on man in case of missing Barstow mother

Helendale man checked himself into psych ward after police searches


January 27, 2009 - 5:11 PM


Jeami Chiapulis


BARSTOW • A Helendale man who checked himself into psychiatric care Monday was romantically involved with a missing Barstow woman and may have more knowledge or be involved in her disappearance last week, police say.

Barstow Police believe Jeami Chiapulis, 36, is connected to Leisa Ann Hurst, 30, who was reported missing after her orange Honda Element was found abandoned in Hesperia, said Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby.
Hurst, a Barstow single mother with two daughters, had visited Chiapulis’ home in the Silver Lakes neighborhood of Helendale several times in the past, according to Libby.
Police conducted two searches of Chiapulis’ home, once on Sunday with his consent and again on Monday with a search warrant. During the searches, investigators found several pieces of evidence that led them to believe that Chiapulis had more knowledge about Hurst’s disappearance, according to Libby.
On Monday, Chiapulis checked himself into the psychiatric ward of an unidentified hospital, said Libby. He has since been uncooperative with investigators, Libby said, so detectives are searching for information on Chiapulis’ whereabouts from Hurst’s Thursday disappearance until Monday, Libby said.
Chiapulis is married and his wife is employed outside of California, Libby said. Police have found at least two other women that were romantically involved with Chiapulis, Libby said.
Hurst’s car was found in the area of Olive Street and Second Street in Hesperia with its windows down and key still in the ignition.
The last sign of Hurst before she disappeared was Thursday at about 11 p.m., according to a police report, when her cell phone was used in Hesperia. Detectives located its signal near a cell tower on Mariposa Road but investigators could not provide details on that call, Libby said. She has not been seen or heard from since.
“Given the nature of [Hurst’s] life and how much she cared for her two daughters we have strong indication that she is the victim of foul play,” Libby said.
Anyone who may have information regarding Chiapulis’ activities from Jan. 22 to Jan. 26 or this case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/b...lice_seek.html

[TigressPen]

Local single mother reported missing

Police find her car abandoned in Hesperia

January 26, 2009 - 4:12 PM
By CHARLES NGUYEN, staff writer

BARSTOW • A 30-year-old single Barstow mom was reported missing on Friday after San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies discovered her orange Honda Element abandoned in Hesperia.

Leisa Ann Hurst had a class scheduled at the University of Laverne satellite campus at Victor Valley College on Thursday evening, according to a police report. Police are still investigating whether Hurst attended her Thursday class.

The last sign of Hurst before she was reported missing was Thursday at about 11 p.m., according to a police report, when her cell phone was used in Hesperia. Detectives were able to locate its signal in the vicinity of a cell tower on Mariposa Road. Investigators have no further details on that call, Libby said.

Hurst’s car was found in the area of Olive Street and Second Street in Hesperia with no signs of damage or forced entry, according to Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby. The car’s windows were down and its key was still in the ignition, according to a police report.

Debra Walsh, Hurst’s mother, who lives in Arizona, said Hurst was studying to become an elementary school teacher. Hurst, a single mother, has a 12-year-old and 8-year-old daughter. Walsh said she and other relatives are currently in Barstow caring for the children.

“This is completely unusual,” Libby said of Hurst’s disappearance. “She hasn't left her kids for any extended periods of time.”

Walsh said she spoke regularly by telephone with Hurst, who lived in an apartment complex on Muriel Drive. Their last conversation happened last week and Hurst was talking about getting over a flu, Walsh said.

Hurst is described as 5 feet 6 inches and 130 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

Police believe that they know someone who may have some connection to the case, according to Libby, but could not provide further details because the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or
cnguyen@desertdispatch.com


http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/s...tml#slComments

Pic of Leisha at site

[sarahhod]

Mother of missing woman organizing weekend search party

Group to search Oro Grande parks, riverbed for clues


February 4, 2009 - 3:51 PM
By CHARLES NGUYEN, staff writer


BARSTOW • The mother of a Barstow woman who has been missing for two weeks is assembling a volunteer search party on Saturday to comb areas in Oro Grande for clues to the case.
Debra Walsh said she had an impromptu idea to open the search to community, having already enlisted friends and family in the effort to locate Leisa Hurst, 30, a mother of two girls who went missing on Jan. 22.
Walsh asked that volunteers meet at a park at 1920 First Street in Oro Grande at 10 a.m. on Saturday to begin the search. She said that she did not know the park’s name specifically, but added that it was off of Route 66 across from the town’s railroad tracks.
“We're searching because the investigation is still going and hope this will break something,” said Walsh, an Arizona resident who is in Barstow caring for Hurst’s children. “There seems to be a lot of people that want to help out there and we wanted to give them the chance to do that.”
Walsh said police told her that the community of Oro Grande would be the best location to search, but said she could not specify why because it could endanger the ongoing investigation. The search party will focus on the town’s parks and nearby riverbed, according to Walsh.
Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby could not be reached Wednesday for comment. Libby said on Monday that local authorities tried to organize a horse-led search party during the weekend but called it off after they could not narrow down an area small enough for the search.
After her disappearance, Hurst’s car was discovered in Hesperia abandoned in the area of Olive Street and Second Street. The orange Honda Element had its windows down and its key was still in the ignition. Police believe Hurst’s cell phone was last used Jan. 22 at 11 p.m. in Hesperia after locating its signal near a cell tower on Mariposa Road.
Libby said on Monday that the invesgation was moving “slow but steady.” Since Hurst’s disappearance, police have focused their attention on Jeami Chiapulis, a Helendale man investigators say had a romantic relationship with Hurst and may have further connection to her disappearance.
Chiapulis checked himself into the psychiatric ward of an unidentified hospital on Jan. 26. As of Monday, Chiapulis was still a patient at the hospital, Libby said.
“We are gaining more evidence every day that indicates that he has involvement in her going missing, but so far he's not saying anything,” Libby said on Monday.
Detectives found evidence they said strongly linked Chiapulis to Hurst’s dissapearance after searching his home twice, Libby said, but the man has not been named as a suspect.
Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or
cnguyen@desertdispatch.com
How to Help
Search party for Leisa Hurst
Saturday, 10 a.m.
1920 First Street, Oro Grande
Please bring: Water bottles, walking shoes


http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/s...w_weekend.html

[sarahhod]

Search party for missing Barstow mother rained out

Family planning another search in two weeks


February 9, 2009 - 4:19 PM
By CHARLES NGUYEN, staff writer

The crowd of volunteers that gathered in Helendale on Saturday to search for missing Barstow resident Leisa Hurst struggled with the rain, forcing Hurst’s family to postpone a full search for the single mother who went missing on Jan. 22.
About 175 people showed up for the search, trudging through mud and rain while searching areas around the Silver Lakes neighborhood for nearly four hours, said Debra Walsh, Hurst’s mother. The family called off the search at about 3 p.m. after heavier rains made it impossible, she said. Volunteers were not able to locate any evidence related to the case.
“A few people without four-wheel drive got stuck in puddles of water,” Walsh said. “We decided it was getting unsafe for people.”
A search and rescue team from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to search the area and surrounding locations this week, according to Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby.
Horses, ATVs and handheld radios were just some of the pieces of equipment and transportation that volunteers brought for the search, Libby said. Off-duty dispatchers from the BPD worked with volunteers to set up a makeshift “command post” in a motor home that they used to coordinate search efforts. Other off-duty BPD officers also were on hand during the search to offer assistance.
“Putting together the search this time will make it easier, safer and more efficient next time,” Libby said. “I was really impressed with the things the community brought and how we all were able to put together a system to utilize them. There’s nothing more valuable than manpower and that’s what we got from the community.”
Walsh said she plans to hold another search on Feb. 21 in the same area of Helendale Road at 8 a.m.
Volunteers came from a variety of areas, some as far as Nevada and Arizona, Walsh said.
“It felt wonderful to see so many concerned people come out from so many places,” Walsh said. “Some people didn’t know us or Leisa personally, but were concerned enough to come out. That was really touching.”
There have been no new developments in Hurst’s case, Libby said. Police still believe that Jeami Chiapulis, a 36-year-old Helendale resident who was romantically involved with Hurst, has further involvement with her disappearance.
“[Chiapulis] has exhibited suspicious characteristics and we don’t believe he has been truthful to investigators,” Libby said.
Chiapulis checked himself into the psychiatric ward of an unidentified hospital on Jan. 26 and remains a patient there, Libby said. Investigators have not named him a suspect.
Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Anyone inquiring about the community search party is asked to contact Debra Walsh at 760-252-9006. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/h...w_missing.html

[annalyzer]

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/s...anization.html

Group comes on board in search for Barstow mother

Trinity Search and Rescue will head second search party

February 15, 2009 - 9:16 AM

A search and recovery organization is taking over the Feb. 21 volunteer search for Leisa Hurst, a Barstow single mother who has been missing since January.

Trinity Search and Recovery will offer specialized equipment to the search party and also manage it through an on-site command post, founder and President Mike Melson said. The search will take place in the same Helendale area as the search held on Feb. 7.

The volunteer organization and Debra Walsh, Hurst’s mother, were connected through the Kristen Foundation, a North Carolina-based group that focuses on providing aid to families of missing people, Melson said.

“The missing persons community is a small network,” he said. “We get to know each other quickly, no matter how far we are.”

The organization was founded in 2005 by Melson and his wife Bridget and has since helped about a dozen families throughout California, according to Melson.

Melson said he hopes to bring specialized equipment to the next search, which includes aerial drones for a bird’s-eye view of the area and side-scan sonar, which maps underwater terrain for boats.

Rain cut the four-hour search short on Feb. 7, which turned up no pieces of evidence related to Hurst’s disappearance. However, the 175 volunteers that showed up managed to assemble a makeshift command post complete with dispatchers and call signs, Walsh said. Volunteers also used search vehicles and animals to comb areas muddied by rainfall.

“The weather put a damper on it but we were so grateful for the things the community was able to do and bring,” Walsh said.

Melson said he will try a similar setup for the Feb. 21 search. Volunteers will be organized into groups and briefed before they are sent out to search, where they will be able to radio into a communications station if anything is found, Melson said.

“They had a fantastic turnout for the first search and we already have 40 folks registered for the next one,” he said. “The most frustrating thing is when we can’t stir up enough interest, but so many generous people have responded to this.”

There have been no recent developments in Hurst’s case. Police still believe Jeami Chipaulis was somehow involved in her Jan. 22 disappearance but have not named him as a suspect. Chiapulis, a Helendale man, checked himself into the psychiatric ward of an unidentified hospital days after Hurst was reported missing and remains a patient there, according to Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby.

Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Anyone inquiring about the community search party is asked to leave information with Trinity Search and Rescue at www.trinitysearch.org. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.