CHISAGO LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. (WCCO) – More than 150 volunteers and law enforcement personnel resumed the search for a missing Oakdale, Minn. woman Friday.
Danielle Jelinek, 27, was last seen at a friend’s home in Chisago Lake Township last Saturday. And despite all the help the sheriff’s office has received from volunteers, they have no new clues.
Authorities organized the latest search effort Friday morning, and asked volunteers to help out. On Thursday, 300 volunteers had helped in the search.
Investigators have named Aaron Schnagl as a “person of interest” in the case. Authorities say the two once dated, and Schnagl was the last person to be seen with her.
Deputies arrested Schnagl on drug charges and say he’s been uncooperative with them about Jelinek’s disappearance.
On Sunday, deputies found Jelinek’s car, purse, cell phone and shoes at Schnagl’s home. They were called there after Jelinek’s parents requested a welfare check.
Many of those who turned out to help Friday were parents, like Jamie Ihrke.
“If the tables were turned, I’d want people out there searching for my kids as well,” Ihrke said.
The search started around 9 a.m., and the searchers rested and ate hot dogs around noon. They needed to refuel and recover after trudging through deep snow and tall grass.
Ron Keller, a searcher, described the effort as “pretty tough at times.”
After three days of looking, few searchers have given up hope of finding Jelinek alive, but authorities are prepared for the worst.
