SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) — South Windsor Police and the local community are searching for 30-year-old Jessica Edwards. She was last seen by her family on Monday, May 10, but they haven’t heard from her since.
Sunday, Jessica’s family and friends held a vigil for her, hoping for her safe return.
Monday marked the eighth day police and the community continued their search for Jessica. People returned to Hartford’s Riverside Park.
On Monday, police said they are processing what they found over the weekend during their searches in Hartford, South Windsor, and through surveillance footage.
“I want to keep this energy going,” a friend of Jessica’s told News 8. “I want this energy to continue. Jessica did not just walk away. Her family — I can attest, I’ve been around them — are very loving, sweet, good people. And Jessica did not deserve to be missing.”
It was one week ago today on Monday, May 10, that authorities say Jessica called out of her clinical training at Hartford Hospital. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
Saturday marked the sixth day police, the community, and Jessica’s family have been searching for the missing mom.
Her family, friends, and volunteers searched spots in communities surrounding South Windsor, including at Rye Street Park.
If you have any information about what happened to Jessica, you’re being urged to give South Windsor police a call right away.
The search for Jessica continued Friday in Hartford with a community-led effort in Riverside Park. Volunteers searched the woods and the waterfront, looking for clues into her disappearance.
“For everyone that showed up, I’m so grateful for you,” said Mario Edwards, Jessica’s brother.
South Windsor PD told News 8 Friday night, “her disappearance has always been suspicious.”
South Windsor PD added that they’re following up on leads and looking into every possible angle. Those leads led police to Manchester Street in Hartford on Friday.
“My understanding is her sister is actively keeping track of all of her technological devices and determined there was some sort of a ‘ping’ on some sort of device she had in her possession at some point,” explained Sgt. Mark Cleverdon, of the South Windsor Police Department. “[She] notified us of that, so we contacted Hartford Police and they’re currently working on that right now.”
Additionally, on Friday night, South Windsor police said they were searching her South Windsor condo “for any further evidence that may assist us in locating Jessica…This search isn’t the result of any specific information, rather a culmination of the information obtained throughout the week.”
Police also searched three associated vehicles for evidence and used Police K9s to search the area round her home.
Jessica’s family said they were together for her first Mother’s Day. She welcomed her son, Jayden, seven months ago.
“Jessica is not going to leave her child, and that’s how I knew that something was wrong,” said Yanique Edwards, Jessica’s sister. “Jessica was the kindest person I’ve ever met in my whole life. She is someone that would honestly go as far as she can to make you happy…I want my sister back.”
Her husband reported she left their condo in South Windsor Monday morning. He said she got dressed and left in a car with a friend.
“It was the last time, and I wish I knew,” said Edwards. “I wish I would have hugged her a little tighter, you know?”
South Windsor Police told News 8 that her phone has been off and her car remains at the condo complex.
“If you know anything, please say something,” said Hope Edwards, Jessica’s mother. “Don’t just keep it to yourself. Think of Jessica as a family member.”
They’re hoping someone knows something about her disappearance. They said Edwards, beloved by many for her sense of humor, kindness, and big heart, has the brightest future ahead of her, and they pray she’ll return soon.
Police ask anyone with information on Edwards’ whereabouts to contact them at 860-644-2551.
