The Bloomington Police Department and federal agents conducted investigative work in Morgan County on Thursday in connection to the disappearance of Lauren Spierer, an Indiana University student who has been missing since 2011.
FBI spokeswoman Wendy Osborn confirmed to IndyStar that federal agents assisted Bloomington police, including following up on tips and leads, in connection to Spierer's disappearance. Bloomington police confirmed their involvement in a news release Thursday evening. Both agencies declined to name the exact location.
Local media reports suggested Justin Wagers, who currently is being held in Johnson County on charges of public indecency and performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor, was connected to the FBI investigation. Wagers' attorney, Chris Eskew, said his client "has no knowledge regarding the disappearance of Lauren Spierer or any other missing person."
"The (Wagers) family has no further comment at this time and asks that the media respect their privacy," Eskew said in the statement released late Thursday.
Spierer, 20, disappeared after a night out drinking with friends early June 3, 2011, in downtown Bloomington. The disappearance of Spierer, a fashion merchandise major from Greenburgh, N.Y., drew widespread attention as local, county, university, state and federal law enforcement conducted a search.
Charlene Spierer believes her daughter's disappearance eventually will be resolved, according to Fox59. "Not knowing and not having her is devastating and there's just no words. It's very hard to live with every single day," Charlene Spierer said.
Searchers scoured at least three lakes and combed through two forests. They looked through abandoned buildings and sifted through trash at a landfill near Terre Haute. They covered 99 percent of all Monroe County roads and most publicly accessible land within a 114-square-mile radius.
Spierer's story was featured on CNN, Fox News and "America's Most Wanted." She also appeared on billboards and in countless news articles.
BPD remains the lead investigative agency on the case, Osborn said.
IndyStar reporter Robert King contributed to this story. Call IndyStar reporter Michael Anthony Adams at (317) 444-6123. Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelAdams317.
