The FBI raided a home on the outskirts of Atlanta on Thursday linked to missing teenager Morgan Bauer, 19, who disappeared in 2016 and was last seen in an Instagram video posted in a park in only ten minutes on foot.
Bauer, originally from South Dakota, moved to Georgia two weeks before she disappeared to start a new life working as a stripper at a bar called Teasers.
At a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, police revealed they had recovered “items of probative interest” involving the search for Morgan Bauer’s remains.
Officials said the search was triggered based on new information sent to them, but they were unable to reveal any additional information.
“The search warrant was obtained based on credible information and evidence collected during this investigation,” Porterdale Police Sgt. Michael Walden during a development press briefing.
The raid included investigators from the Porterdale Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, Peoria, Illinois Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Newton County District Attorney’s Office. Officials would not explain why members of an Illinois force were present.
Morgan Bauer, 19, disappeared seven years ago in February 2016, just two weeks after moving from South Dakota to Atlanta
The operation takes place at 2 South Broad St. in Porterdale. At this time, no one is in custody and the current owners of the property are cooperating with the investigation.
Outside the Tease strip club in Gainesville, GA, where Bauer worked for two weeks after moving to Atlanta
In a 2017 interview, Bauer’s mother, Sherri Sichmeller, said her daughter only had $20 in her name when she moved to Georgia and was expecting a tax refund that didn’t happen. never materialized.
“She was planning on staying with someone she talked to on Craigslist,” Sichmeller said. WSB-TV.
This arrangement lasted one night with Bauer arguing with his new roommate and moving out.
“From what I understand, she left her clothes there because she didn’t know what to do. And then she went to try to find accommodation, a hotel, and that’s what got her dancing,” Sichmeller said.
A worker at a Waffle House across from Teasers told the station she spoke with Bauer a few times when she came home from work.
“You know, like I said, we don’t (often) see Caucasian women there in that club, and I asked her if she danced or was a bartender and she said she danced there -down,” the worker said.
On the day of the search, Sherri wrote in a Facebook group dedicated to raising awareness about the case that “My family and I do our best to be grateful, gracious, peaceful and prayerful.”
An information line has been set up to help with information, 1-855-MORGANB. A $10,000 reward was offered for information related to his disappearance.
In February this year, his mother, Sherri Keenan, claimed that investigators discovered that Bauer’s last social media post was on February 26, 2016, not the 25th as originally thought.
The town of Porterdale is looking for a park for Bauer in February 2016
Members of the FBI search team during their search of the property, officials said the owners of the home were cooperating with the investigation
“I would just ask for patience and of course they’ve waited so long and I’m asking them to wait a little longer,” Walden said Thursday.
“The professional men and women who search in the conditions in which they find themselves, in which they try. So if they could just be a little patient with us, we’ll let them know as soon as we know anything and can tell them.
The operation takes place at 2 South Broad St. in Porterdale. At this time, no one is in custody and the current owners of the property are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
“The Porterdale Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety and maintaining community trust by conducting thorough and diligent investigations of criminal activity,” Walden continued.
“Porterdale Police appreciate the cooperation and support of the community during this operation,” he added.
“We understand that incidents like these can worry residents, but we want to assure the public that we are actively working to address the situation and maintain the safety and security of our community.”
At a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, police revealed they had recovered ‘items of probative interest’ involving the search for Morgan Bauer
Bauer started working as a dancer in an adult club at the time and has not been reported since.
In February this year, her mother, Sherri, claimed that investigators discovered that Bauer’s last social media post was on February 26, 2016, not the 25th as originally thought.
The new information meant that the police could have been looking in the wrong place, based on an incorrect timetable
In February of this year, Sherri claimed that investigators discovered that Bauer’s last social media post was on February 26, 2016, not the 25th as originally thought.
Bauer posted a video on Instagram that shows her in a park with a man walking behind her. The location and identity of the man are unknown at this time.
“It changes the whole timeline of events,” her mother said in February.
“It also changes the last person known to have seen Morgan. I contacted Morgan detectives, they also hadn’t heard of any dates other than the 25th,” she added.
The new information meant that the police could have been looking in the wrong places, based on an incorrect timetable.
“It completely changes the narrative of the story,” Keenan said. “They need to go back and re-examine everything and all the information we have now and re-examine the case.”
The clip was recorded after friends dropped off Bauer after work near where Thursday’s search took place.
