Bollinger County Search Linked to Gina Brooks

Authorities have confirmed that a multi-day search conducted in Bollinger County, Missouri, is linked to the 1989 disappearance of Gina Dawn Brooks.

Why it matters: The search, which involved the FBI, Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), and Bollinger County deputies, could potentially bring closure to a case that has remained unsolved for over three decades.

The details:

• The search took place in a dense wooded area roughly two hours south of St. Louis, pursuant to a Bollinger County search warrant.
• Items of possible evidentiary value were collected and will be forwarded to the MSHP Crime Laboratory for analysis.
• No human remains have been found during the search.
• The property owner was contacted by an FBI agent three weeks prior, indicating the bureau was looking for remains based on information from someone in prison.

Gina Dawn Brooks was 13 years old when she disappeared in August 1989 while riding her bike in Fredericktown, about 15 miles from the current search site. She was last seen near her church, talking to the driver of a light gray, green, or blue station wagon with Missouri plates.

Community reaction:

• “Yeah, the town needs it. You know, you got a small town that everybody still waves, they say hi to you. It’s a small town and people need to get closure. We really do,” local resident Jamie Jaycox commented.
• “This is just an easygoing town, everybody was out and about in the summer, and you started looking over your shoulder,” Angie Davidson, who was 20 when Brooks vanished, recalled.

State Representative Tricia Byrnes, who has been active in missing persons legislation, expressed sympathy for the Brooks family. “My first thoughts were, how that family must feel,” she said.

The background: Three men were implicated in Brooks’ disappearance, but due to a lack of evidence, no convictions were made.

What’s next: Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Division of Drug and Crime Control/MSHP Troop E Headquarters at (573) 840-9500 or the FBI tip line at 1-800-Call-FBI.

Full story

Authorities have confirmed that a search conducted this week on a rural property in Bollinger County, Missouri, is linked to the 1989 disappearance of Gina Dawn Brooks. The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) stated that the multi-day search was part of the ongoing investigation into Brooks’ case. Items of possible evidentiary value were collected during the search and will be sent to the MSHP Crime Laboratory for analysis.

However, no human remains have been found at this time. The search, which involved the FBI, MSHP, and Bollinger County deputies, took place in a densely wooded area approximately two hours south of St. Louis. The property owner, who has owned the land for 15 years, was contacted by an FBI agent three weeks prior, indicating that the bureau was searching for remains based on information from an incarcerated individual.

Residents of Fredericktown, where Brooks disappeared, expressed hope for closure in the case. Jamie Jaycox, a local resident, commented, “Yeah, the town needs it. You know, you got a small town that everybody still waves, they say hi to you.

Search in Bollinger County continues

It’s a small town and people need to get closure. We really do.”

Gina Dawn Brooks was 13 years old when she vanished in August 1989 while riding her bike in Fredericktown, about 15 miles from the current search site.

She was last seen near her church, speaking with the driver of a light gray, green, or blue station wagon with Missouri plates. Her bike was later discovered abandoned on High Street. Three men were implicated in her disappearance, but no convictions were made due to insufficient evidence.

Michael Jeter, whose father was inspired to return to law enforcement because of the case, recalled seeing a similar vehicle near their home around the time of Brooks’ disappearance. His father contacted the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and later rejoined the force, participating in several searches over the years. State Representative Tricia Byrnes, who has been active in missing persons legislation, expressed sympathy for the Brooks family and filed legislation this year to mandate the use of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) in Missouri to help solve cases more effectively.

The investigation into Gina Dawn Brooks’ disappearance remains active, and anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Division of Drug and Crime Control/Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E Headquarters at (573) 840-9500 or the FBI tip line at 1-800-Call-FBI.