The Criminal Report Daily : Investigation Discovery

Texas EquuSearch Joins Search for Missing Mother of Three, Corrie Anderson

The search and recovery firm Texas EquuSearch is in Chautauqua County, New York, looking into the disappearance of Corrie Anderson, a mother of three who went missing in October.

"We were contacted by the family of Corrie and asked to join the search," EquuSearch spokesperson Barbie Tarr told Investigation Discovery. "Members of our group arrived in Jamestown on Sunday to begin going over the case."

Earlier today, I traveled to Ashville, NY, where I met with Mike Ray, one of the EquuSearch team members that is on the scene to coordinate the search effort. According to Ray, he has visited areas of interest in the case and has identified specific grids to conduct searches in.

"We've been working close with the family and police, gathering information and reviewing satellite data," Ray told Investigation Discovery. "We are confident this is a case that can be solved."

Unfortunately, weather conditions in the area are hampering a full scale search effort, something which will most likely have to be put on hold until the spring.

"The conditions here are not favorable, so we are currently trying to come up with a feasible search date," Ray said. "Once we have ascertained when that will occur, we will need the community's support in moving forward. The more volunteers we can get, the quicker we can clear the search grids."

In the meantime, EquuSearch will continue to gather logistical data.

"The family is not alone in their search," Ray said. "We are committed to this case and we will do whatever we can to assist them."

In related news, EquuSearch team member Gary Peterson is in Rochester, Minnesota, testing cadaver dogs to see if they can track scents deep in the snow. In a telephone conversation with Investigation Discovery, Peterson said that the field tests were successful. A team of dogs is currently on standby and could be brought in as early as next week for a small scale search.

Missing Mother of Three, Corrie Anderson, Needs Your Help

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.

Cindy Anthony's Ongoing Search for a Living Caylee

The Casey Anthony case is like a train wreck that you cannot look away from. As a result, much of the coverage and discussion has veered away from what should be the centerpiece of this case – missing 2-year-old Caylee Anthony. Instead, everyone has been almost completely focused on her mother and grandparents. Ask any true-crime writer and he or she will be hard-pressed to come up with another case that has garnered such attention. It's like the 100-year flood – things like this just don't happen every day.

When I was in Orlando, Florida, for the most recent search effort, I met Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony, and have spoken with her on the phone a few times since. What I have noticed since becoming involved in this case is that much of the drama surrounding it is drummed up, and much of the information presented to us as facts is false. Unfortunately, today, rumor and speculation are often accepted as fact, and little is done to verify them. If it makes good headlines, it must be true.

I cannot speak for George and Lee, and certainly not for Casey, as I have yet to have a face-to-face meeting with any one of them; however, I can tell you that I do not believe Cindy knows anything about the location of her granddaughter. In my opinion, Cindy is hanging on to any shred of hope that she can find. She is desperate for answers and willing to explore any and all possibilities.

Much hate and anger have been directed at Cindy in recent months – energy that could be better used to do something proactive. I am not one to blow my own horn, but early on, I put my money where my mouth is. I have twice traveled to Orlando to join in both searches. How many of those who choose to throw stones can say the same? I challenge each and every one of them to get off their high horse for a day to do something constructive in this case.

If Cindy wants to run down leads across the globe, so be it. That is her right. While I may not agree with the way that Cindy or her family has handled many aspects of this case, I am in no position to judge. I have never been in her shoes, and because of that, I cannot say with any degree of certainty how I would react in a similar situation.