Missing Mother of Three, Corrie Anderson, Needs Your Help

December 06, 2008

Unless you have been in a similar situation, chances are you cannot fathom what it is like when someone you love goes missing. You see the cases on the news all the time, but how often do you actually take the time to contemplate what the families are going through? It is not easy, nor is it pleasant; however, it is something everyone needs to do, for that person could easily be your own spouse or relative.

One of the families experiencing the pain and the frustration of the unknown is that of 36-year-old Corrie L. Anderson, a mother of three from Chautauqua County, New York, who went missing in October of this year. Since that time, investigators with the New York State Police have released few details regarding the status of the case, and it has all but slipped off the radar of many local media outlets.

"Our hearts ache. How could this happen? It feels as though time is standing still," Corrie's cousin, Laurie Keefe, told Investigation Discovery. "While we struggle to be heard and tell all who will listen, the real world moves at its normal rapid pace, preparing for the holidays, oblivious to our pain. Did this really happen? It is surreal."

In order to help you connect to this family – to understand who Corrie was and to relate to the situation at hand - I asked Corrie's closest family members to give us a glimpse into her life. I wanted to give you, the reader, a connection that you cannot obtain from a photo on a flyer. As expected, the family's response was both genuine, and heartfelt.

"Corrie is strong, resilient, loving, generous and kind," her older brother, Scott Barker, told Investigation Discovery.

Scott's wife, Jenny Barker, agreed, and went on to describe Corrie as someone who always put others before herself.

"She has a really great smile," Jenny said. "She has a way of making everyone feel comfortable. She is never the center of attention and always puts herself last. First and foremost, she is a mom to her three children."

Corrie is the second of four children. She and her family enjoyed life, growing up on a dairy farm in western New York. According to Corrie's mom, Vicki Acquisto, her daughter has always been full of life and adventure.

"She would spend many hours outdoors with her brother Scott, exploring the creeks and woods," Vickie recalled with a smile.

When they were young, Corrie and her sister, Autumn Boardman, had their share of sisterly spats, but, as the years went by, they became very close and grew to rely upon on each other.

"Every Christmas season, with everything getting hectic - all those different family personalities and all - we would always buy a bottle of wine or something to drink when the holidays were done, but would never get to it," Autumn told Investigation Discovery. "We always seemed to get through by laughing instead. Corrie and I just enjoyed being able to talk about everything and anything, what life was and is currently handing us and listen to each other and gossiping. It seems it is just the simple things in life that we enjoyed and made us laugh.

"She loves watching my kids grow.  She was at the hospital for their births, so eager to meet them.  She loves holding them, watching their first teeth come in, starting to crawl, first steps, and just becoming their own persons.  I am hoping that I am at least half the mom she is."

Corrie married Mike Hillerby when she was 18. Her daughter, Kaitlyn, was born a year later, followed by Shannon, a year and a half after that. Although Corrie tried her best to make the marriage work, it didn't.  After seven years, she and the girls moved back home with Vicki and stepdad, Mickey. Her parents, along with her sister, Autumn, provided support and love to Corrie and the girls, and Corrie provided the same in return.

In 2000, Corrie met Ken Anderson, and they married soon thereafter. The couple's son, Zack, was born a year later. Corrie became discouraged early in the marriage, but continued to try to make the relationship work. Unfortunately, Corrie soon came to find out that Ken had not divorced his previous wife, something which made her marriage to him invalid.

Blindsided, Corrie moved out with the kids, and tried to determine what was best for them. According to the family, Ken pursued her strongly and became active in Corrie's church. As a result, Corrie agreed to attend counseling with him and then to try again to make the relationship work. 

Corrie and Ken moved into their home on Wellman Road in Ashville, NY in 2005. However, the problems in their relationship, combined with daughters who were now becoming teenagers, prompted Corrie to end the relationship with Ken later that next year. Family members say that she wanted and needed to be strong for her daughters and for Zack. Even though she was discouraged, she wanted to be a strong role model for her kids. 

"She has always been very responsible and a loving mom," Vicki said. "Tough, and yet compassionate."

Corrie worked as a medical transcriptionist from home and, in 2005, she began working part time as a technical assistant at Jamestown Community College's Hultquist Library. Her family says the arrangement worked out well, as it allowed her to supplement her income, while still giving her the freedom to be available for her kids when they were home from school.

Ken continued to pursue Corrie and family members say he became more aggressive, to a point where he allegedly placed a hidden GPS tracking device on her car to keep track of her movements. Upon learning of the device, Corrie notified the state police and took out a protective order for herself, her three kids, and her mom.

In 2007, Corrie had Ken arrested for violating the protection order. As a result of the arrest, he was placed on probation.

"Corrie and I were very aware that something might happen," Vicki said. "Every door and window in her home was habitually locked - even during the summer."

Corrie's last email to Laurie, sent in July 2008, provides a snapshot into her life.

"I share it so that you can see, firsthand, a little of who Corrie was at that time and what she was experiencing," Laurie said.

The email reads, in part:

Things have been crazy as always for me, but I have just learned to take a deep breath knowing that I will get through whatever is sent my way because as you can see I am still kicking and breathing whether my world goes into a whirlwind or not.

Things with Ken have not fully resolved and probably never will.  I have come to the conclusion that he is psycho and thrives off trying to make others feel like they are insane. We finalized a visitation schedule in the middle of January, where by July 1, he would have had a regular visitation schedule, meaning every other weekend and one night a week. BUT, he left town two weeks after the schedule was all put in place. It was a gradual unsupervised visitation schedule. He went to Alabama until June. I heard he got fired from another job so he is back!!!! He has not asked about visitation with Zack. The only thing he has taken court action on is the support. I would like to get the property all worked out and just move on as much as possible. I feel like he is dragging his feet with that because of a control issue.

Zack is doing well. He played t-ball this spring and is doing wonderful in school. My girls have good heads on their shoulders, it is just this lousy teenager disease that seems to overtaken them for this period in their lives. Really, I cannot complain. They are healthy, smart, beautiful and can show a very loving and caring side. I believe that in a few years our daughters will return to us appreciating things in a whole different light. I CANT WAIT!!!!

As far as me, I have been dating a guy who has been really wonderful to me. He treats me with respect, which is something I have not ever had. He actually lets me have an opinion and allows me to be me!!

According to police, Corrie was last seen about 1:00 p.m. on October 28, when she visited her boyfriend at the Lake County Dodge dealership on Washington Street in Jamestown.

Family members reported Corrie missing at about 3:45 p.m. that day, when she failed to show up at Zack's school for a meeting, where Shannon was supposed to meet her. Items found at Corrie's house suggest she made it home some time prior to her disappearance. 

Investigators with the New York State Police opened a file on the case and issued an APB (all points bulletin) for Corrie's blue 2005 Dodge Caravan, New York license number CX404.

On October 30, a hunter discovered Corrie's car abandoned at a gas well off Kortwright Road in the town of Busti. The location is approximately two miles from Corrie's house.

"I was working outside, when an old fellow I know came walking out of the woods and said that he had found the woman's car on my property," the landowner, who does not wish to be identified, told Investigation Discovery. "He said he did not want any part of it, so I took my farmhand up there to have a look. The van was just past the gas well, out of site from the road. I walked up to it and looked inside, but I did not see anyone or any sign of trouble. We compared the license plate numbers to the one listed in the paper, and, sure enough, it was her car. I phoned the police, and within an hour, they had the whole area cordoned off."

State police recovered the vehicle from the field, and sent it to Batavia for forensic testing.

That night, investigators searched the Celoron, N.Y. home of Kenneth Anderson. Investigators reportedly questioned Anderson for several hours; however, what – if anything – they learned is unknown.

Police have not called Kenneth Anderson a suspect or person of interest in Corrie's disappearance.

In the weeks following Corrie's disappearance, multiple agencies have become involved in a search effort. Authorities used ATV's, helicopters and dogs to inspect areas of interest.

When asked by a reporter from WIVB.com if there appears to be foul play, Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley replied, "Well, we can't rule it out, so I think, from my perspective, we treat it as though there has been foul play."

Yesterday, the search and recovery group Texas Equusearch announced that they would be joining the search for Corrie. Members of the group are expected to arrive in Jamestown this week to meet with the family. The organization is currently testing cadaver dogs to see if the animals can track scents in deep snow.

A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Corrie's whereabouts. Corrie's family has set up a Web site devoted to the case, which can be found at: www.findcorrie.com.

The family asks sportsmen and others who might be out in the woods in the Chautauqua County area to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. In addition to Corrie, her keys and purse are also missing. Her purse is described as black, 8” x 8” square, with a G.H. Bass & Company logo.

While you may not be able to actively volunteer your time to this case, you can help Corrie's family by taking a moment to pass on this article’s link to every friend, blog, message board, and Web site on the net. You can also send e-mails to Good Morning America, Greta Van Susteren, Nancy Grace, and request that they get involved in the case. Through your community effort, we can get Corrie the airtime she deserves.

Corrie Anderson is 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, with green eyes and blond hair. She was last seen wearing black corduroy pants, a black leather jacket, and small wire-rimmed glasses.

Anyone with information regarding her disappearance or whereabouts is asked to call the New York State Police at (716) 665-3113.

Photo Credits: Corrie Anderson's photos: Courtesy of her family; All others, including Jamestown, car dealership and gas well: property of Carla Lohr

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Comments

[Lisa]

My thoughts and prayers are with Corrie and her dear family.
I will forward this article to everyone I know.
God Bless and keep all of you.

[Searching4TheLost]

Very moving article David! Thanks for sharing such emotions with us, the readers. It is hard to imagine what a family goes through when a loved one goes missing. We all need to take a step back, and try to put ourselves in their shoes for even a moment. As involved as I have been in these cases, I still can't imagine the pain that they go through each and every day, as they try to find their missing family member. It shatters the heart to think of it !

[Alicia Mizel]

Thank you for this blog and updates. I live in Florida and I have been wearching the net so often hoping to find information about Corrie. I am originally from that area and still call it home. Unfortunately it's so true that there are several unsolved missing women cases there. I pray somehow this case will be different. She was my good friend in school. She is everything described in this article. I will forward this to all I can. Alicia

[stacey c in pa]

Thank you again David for bringing this to the surface. Thoughts and prayers to the family and for Corrie. I just can't understand how and why this keeps happening to woman all over... it's so sad. I can not imagine the pain and anguish these family's go thru. As someone who survived an attack and a years worth of stalking - protection orders, safe houses, and finally going off the radar for 6 months and then moving w/ nothing in my name - just to hide - I read about these women and think there but for the grace of God go I...

It's important to hear the voices of the family which helps us hear the voice of the missing...and I think every news channel and show should broadcast these stories. Thanks again for helping to fight this good fight!

[Cindy Hutchison]

I fully understand what the family is going through. I have been working with a case from Linwood, Kansas. A teenager and only child of Harold and Alberta Leach disappeared from a rural Linwood pre-graduation party on April 16, 1988. Neither he nor his car have been seen since. He was not the runaway type. I am getting ready to write a book about the case and put up a web page.
There are so many unanswered questions in the case. few classmates [of whom went to the small school with him since Kindergarten] are willing to talk. The law enforcement has been ineffective if not botched in their handling of the case.
Good Luck.
Cindy

[carrie]

My thoughts and prayers are with this family and friends of Corrie's.

One year + and counting that I have been very involved with a missing person in the state of Illinois. This is an experience that cannot be compared to any other....missing devoted mothers do not just go off into the sunset. They are erased, I believe this.

Kudos to the author for printing this about Corrie, keep her story alive in the news as best you can! I will send e-mails to directed persons and pass along to all I know.

Peace be with family and friends at this Holiday season.

[Armchair Detective]

Thank you so much for putting this information out! My mother attends Corries church and is so heartbroken over this. I am so happy Texas Equusearch is going to come, please contact me so I can volunteer... I may be able to get some horses together for them also.Corrie needs to be found for her families sake.

[Marcia]

This is a moving story. Thank you to the author for letting us into her life. She sounds like an amazing person. I can only imagine what her children are going through. My thoughts go out to the family and friends of Corrie. I pray that they find her and catch the person who did this, he sounds like a selfish person. I guess he doesn't see that this is not about him, she has children who need and love her. People like that do not deserve to breathe life!
God bless Corrie.

[Karen Beals]

What an awesome article! My daily prayer is for Corrie's safe return to all who love her, and for God to give Corrie and her family strength to endure. Like I read today in the Daily Bread..."The weak, the helpless, and the discouraged are in the Shepherds's special care". God Bless...

[PATTY MUNTZ]

My prayers are very strong for this grieving family!!

[judy grove]

this is s sad especially this time of the year

my god protect her and my prayers are eith her and the family

[Tammy Hildebrand]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Corrie's family. I cannot imagine what this time of year must be like for them, not knowing whether or not she is okay. And I can't imagine what it's like for her children. I cannot fathom the idea of Chrismas day and what it will be like for them. I pray every day that she will be found and will at least be okay. I pray for the family that they find peace during the holidays and I pray that they are given the most wonderful Christmas present of all - FINDING CORRIE ALIVE AND WELL. God Bless you all. I will be praying for you!

[Crystal Stamper]

I don't know Corrie. Only met her once, but she seemed to be exactly like they say. I knew right away she was someone i would love to get to know. She was so much fun! I know her sister....

Please know you and the family are in my prayers, Autumn.

[Betty]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Betty

[Carrie Cimo]

Go Bless Corrie and all of her family.
I cannot pretend that I know what you are all going through and can offer my love and and prayers to her and her family. I love Corrie, the two plus years I worked with her at JCC are never forgotten, and I pray for her discovery everyday.

[concerned]

I work in media in Chautauqua County, where every couple of years, a woman goes missing. There is obviously a serial killer. The FBI should be investigating as such. When you increase the radius to include all of Western New York State, there's quite a few missing women, many of which are blondes, over the last 15 years. The GED educated police can't solve it. The FBI needs to be turning over every stone and putting an end to these crimes. Until this serial killer is found, no woman is safe in WNY.

[Donna Moorhouse-aka-SamanthaJane13]

David-

I wish with all my heart that my daughter and I could be there to help out, but my mom is having surgery next week, and Katey goes back to school after spring break.

My prayers go out to Corrie, her family and friends, and all the searchers.

Please bring Corrie home!

[Someone in Jamestown]

I spoke to someone who said they saw her the day she went missing , coverd in blood and asking to use a phone. Why didn't the police follow up on this?

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Edited by David Lohr to add: You did not include an email addy. Please contact me at davidlohr@davidlohr.net

[M.]

"Mike, Mike, Mike, Michael..."

[rebecca maher]

i dont know how else to reach you, do you look at cold cases? I want to send you a very mysterious case from Omaha,Ne.
p.s. god please watch over corrie anderson and her family!

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davidlohr@davidlohr.net

[Cleea]

First my prayers go out to Corrie Anderson and her family and friends. Not knowing the situation and what has become of your loved one, is the hardest heartache that a family has to sustain. No family should ever have to go through this kind of pain. But the reality of our society these days, we see more and more of these kinds of situations.
There is no serial killer running around Chautauqua County. Women should always be on guard, and know what is going on around them. This is the world we live in. The same person did not kill Lori Bova, Yolanda Bindics or Corrie Anderson.
As far as someone seeing Corrie all bloody the day of her disappearance, why were the authorities not called? More than likely this is not true. I have worked with Law Enforcement in another state, and the majority of comments the community repeats are not the truth. You even have to be cautious on what you read from some of the papers. Not all journalist are out to get the truth. I commend David Lohr for taking his time to get the facts as truthful as possible.
I would say the best thing we all could do at this point in time...is say our prayers to God to give all of these families strength to carry on. To pray that Law Enforcement gets the leads they need for convictions. To pray there are no more of these kind of cases in our communities in the future.
God Bless to everyone...