On Friday, volunteers gathered in Baton Rouge to aid in the search for a missing Opelousas woman.
Helicopter and ATV searches for 19-year-old Kori Gauthier will take place April 9 and 10 along the Mississippi River and levee.
Drones are being used on Friday to survey the river. The United Cajun Navy, who is conducting the search with local law enforcement, says the river levels are too high for boating.
Volunteers were asked to meet at 8:00 am at the flag pole in front of the LSU Veterinary School to help search on foot and pass out flyers.
KATC's Eman Boyd is in Baton Rouge and will have the latest on the search efforts in our evening newscasts.
Several dozen students and family members are gathering for a prayer vigil for Gauthier on LSU's campus Friday evening.
Gauthier was reported missing on Wednesday. Her vehicle was found abandoned on the Mississippi River bridge after another motorist crashed into it.
While Gauthier was not in the vehicle, family says that her wallet and phone were still inside.
Read more on the investigation: More details emerge on Opelousas woman missing after crash in Baton Rouge
Kori's uncle Spencer Gauthier shared a Facebook post on Thursday asking volunteers to help in the search for his niece.
In his short video he says that getting volunteers on the ground is crucial to bringing Kori home.
Despite some rumors on social media, Gauthier says Kori has still not been found.
"The car, the phone, the wallet, everything has been found. I just haven't found my niece physically. I'm not giving up on her. She's coming home," he said.
LSU released a statement on Friday about Gauthier's disappearance:
Dear LSU Community,
"You received an email about this yesterday, and LSU PD is still investigating the disappearance of one of our students, freshman Kori Gauthier, and has been in close contact with her family. Kori’s vehicle was found unoccupied at the scene of an accident on the I-10 eastbound side of the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Kori is 18 years old and is 5’5” and weighs between 115 to 120 pounds with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on Kori Gauthier is asked to contact LSU Police at (225) 578-3231. Our thoughts are with Kori and her family and friends as we hope for her safe return."
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