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2007 Parker,Theresa 3-21-2007; Walker County 41 YO
Topic Started: Apr 4 2007, 10:09 PM (744 Views)
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Georgia Police Hunt for Missing 911 Dispatcher

Last Edited: Tuesday, 27 Mar 2007, 9:13 PM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 27 Mar 2007, 1:13 PM EDT

By Liza Porteus
03/27/2007 --
Authorities conducted a ground search Tuesday near the home of a northwest Georgia 911 dispatcher missing since last week.

Relatives of Theresa Parker contacted the Walker County sheriff's office on Saturday after growing concerned because they hadn't heard from Parker in several days.

Parker, 41, was last heard from about 10 p.m. Wednesday when she talked on the phone with her sister, said Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson. It was Parker's habit to talk to her mother or other relatives at least once a day.

"Obviously this is totally uncharacteristic for her. ... She's always been a very punctual type person who is very dedicated to her job, her family," Wilson told FOXNews.com on Tuesday.

Police received a tip Monday night that caused Wilson to deploy searchers around 11 a.m. to the area around Parker's home. They are focusing on two to three parcels of property, he said.

"We don't know that this will turn out to be a good lead or not until we run it out," Wilson told FOXNews.com, adding that search and rescue personnel, volunteer firemen and other officials are involved in the so-called "grid search" common with missing persons cases.

A command post is operating at Corinth Baptist Church in Lafayette.

No one at the 911 dispatch center noticed her absence, Wilson said, because she was scheduled to be off work. But she failed to show up Monday for her 7 p.m. shift.

"We knew then, we're just very, very concerned at this point because this is just not typical for her," Wilson said.

Wilson said officers are canvassing her neighborhood and interviewing family, friends and co-workers. So far, authorities have no clues why Parker disappeared.

The case was turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation because of the close ties between Parker and the local authorities, Wilson said. She has been a 911 operator for about 15 years, and worked as a police emergency dispatcher before that.

Wilson, who knows her personally, described her as a "very knowledgeable, very thorough employee, a very likeable person."

Parker's husband Samuel is a police officer with the Lafayette Police Department. The two were separated and were not living together at the time of Parker's disappearance.

Wilson said Samuel Parker is not considered a suspect and has been interviewed two or three times by the investigators handling the case.

"He's been cooperative so far, so far has answered our questions," Wilson said. "At this point I would not classify him as a suspect, he's certainly been cooperative but on the flip side, we have not eliminated anyone as a suspect, either."

Parker's car was found at the home she shared at her husband before the separation. Parker was still living in the home but was planning to move to a neighboring town. Samuel Parker was staying with a relative, Wilson said. The GBI has not yet reported any unusual credit-card activity or any other suspicious activity to local authorities, he added.

When asked if he has any reason to believe Parker won't be found alive, Wilson responded: "Scientifically, no. Obviously we're deeply concerned we may find the worst because of a number of days now that have elapsed but we're still hoping to find her out there somewhere in good health. ... But obviously we have to be realistic here and know that as time passes on, the probability is not as good for her."

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Authorities continue search for missing 911 dispatcher


03/28/07
Eric Beavers
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Theresa Parker and her husband, Sam, a 20-year veteran of the LaFayette Police Department, lived in this secluded house on Cordell Road. (Messenger photo/Eric Beavers)
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Authorities are scaling back their full-blown search for a missing LaFayette woman and doing more work “behind the scenes,” Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said Wednesday.

Theresa Parker, a Walker County 911 dispatcher, was reported missing on Saturday, Wilson said. The last known contact with her was with her sister on Wednesday evening.

Search teams are still roaming the mountainous region around Taylor’s Ridge. A helicopter is also flying over the region.

Theresa Parker and her husband, Sam, a 20-year veteran of the LaFayette Police Department, lived on Cordell Road.

LaFayette Public Safety Director Tommy Freeman said his officer has not been placed on leave and is still working his regular shifts.

“We’ve got a couple of four-wheelers that are riding along the top of Taylor’s Ridge for noOn Tuesday authorities set up a command post at Corinth Baptist Church just south of LaFayette. (Messenger photo/Eric Beavers)
reason than the fact that that might be a good place to discard a body,” he said. “We don’t have any leads or tips or anything like that.”

Wilson dispelled rumors that blood was found on the Parkers’ carport.

Local law enforcement agencies banded together Tuesday in the search for the missing 911 dispatcher.

Sheriff Wilson established a command post Tuesday at Corinth Baptist Church in LaFayette near their residence, but the temporary meeting place was dismantled Tuesday night.

“We’ve been doing some grid searches in the vicinity of Coffman Springs and Cordell roads (so

Sam Parker uth of LaFayette) in close proximity to Theresa Parker’s home (where she lives with her husband),” Wilson said. “We got a tip last night that we felt like we had to follow up on. It doesn’t mean it will pan out to be a substantial lead, but it means we are following up on leads that we feel are important.”

Despite upgrading the search and bringing in more than 50 people from nearly 10 local and state agencies, authorities have found little more evidence. They are; however, playing their cards close to their vest.

When asked if Sam Parker was under surveillance, Wilson said, “Certainly that would be an investigative technique, an avenue that we would not discuss at this time.”



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call (706) 624-1424, (706) 638-1913 or (706) 375-7810.
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Wilson could not say when or if the investigation would morph from a search for a missing person to a possible homicide investigation.

“I don’t know that there is actually a timeline in the textbook,” he said. “You have to take all the factors into consideration as to when you change it from a missing person to a possible more serious case, maybe a criminal case of some sort.

“Obviously, there are rules of evidence we have to follow,” Wilson said. “If that evidence follows takes us down a certain path, we’re going to follow that path as long as we can.”

Any collected evidence could be used to go before the magistrate judge, a Superior Court judge or to Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin for presentment to a grand jury, he said.

The couple was preparing to file for divorce, Wilson said during a Monday news conference. She was preparing to move out of the Cordell Road house and had secured a residence in Fort Oglethorpe.



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Records show officers responded to domestic disputes at Parker residence
Sam and Theresa Parker apparently had some problems, according to records obtained from the 911 center where she worked. The couple are undergoing a divorce. Officers went to the residence on two occasions responding to calls for domestic disputes — once in May 2002 and again in April 2004. There were two calls for assistance on May 4, 2004, one from Theresa and another from Sam 31 minutes later. The dispatch report states Sam wanted an officer to come to check the house. He told dispatchers that Theresa was telling her family “he tore up the house and struck her and advised it did not happen.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Investigators finding more details about dispatcher's disappearance


03/29/07
Eric Beavers
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Theresa Parker is a supervisor with the Walker County 911 Emergency Center in Rock Spring. (Contributed photo)
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Authorities are now searching for missing 911 dispatcher Theresa Parker behind closed doors, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said Thursday morning.

Parker was reported missing by her mother on Saturday. The last publicly-acknowledged contact with her family was with her sister on the night of Wednesday, March 21.

Investigators said they used a global positioning satellite to locate Parker’s cell phone and know the last number dialed, but have not released that information.



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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. Lead investigators in the case are special agent James Harris with the GBI and detective David Gilleland with the Walker County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information is asked to call (706) 624-1424, (706) 638-1913 or (706) 375-7810.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The investigation was launched after Parker’s mother called last Saturday and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist.

A full-scale grid search on Tuesday of about five square miles around her LaFayette residence on Cordell Road turned up nothing, authorities said. She lived at the residence with her husband, Sam, a sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department.

Parker and her husband were going through a divorce and had what authorities have referred to as a “rocky relationship.” County deputies have responded to their residence at least three times, including twice on the same day, since 2002 for domestic disputes.

On Wednesday, searchers on four-wheelers rode the secluded areas around Taylor’s Ridge while a helicopter buzzed overhead checking the many small ponds and lakes in the region for any sign of Parker.

Officers on Thursday are continuing the work of piecing together the series of events surrounding her disappearance and interviewing people close to Parker

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Husband's Car Impounded in Missing Dispatcher Case





Sam Parker's impounded patrol car

It's been eight nights since Theresa Parker slept in her own bed. Eight nights since anyone has seen her.

Now there are new developments in the case of the missing Walker County 9-1-1 dispatcher.

They involve her estranged husband, Sam Parker, who is a police officer on the LaFayette force.

On Thursday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation seized Sam Parker's patrol car. It sits in a LaFayette, Georgia impound lot.


Sam and Theresa Parker


We are told the Parkers were going through a nasty divorce when Theresa suddenly disappeared eight days ago.

While Sam Parker has not been named as an official suspect, investigators are starting with those closest to Theresa.

And Thursday night, her friends and colleagues of Theresa Parker gathered to reaffirm their faith and strength as they deal with this crisis of her mysterious disappearance.

They held a candlelight vigil.. A couple dozen of Theresa's closest friends and family were at the vigil.


Vigil held at the 911 Center


Be sure to stay with Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest as this investigation into Theresa Parker's disappearance moves into high gear.
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Theresa Parker's family fearing the worst


03/30/07
From the Walker County Messenger
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Christina Hall talks to reporters outside the Walker County Courthouse Friday afternoon. (Staff photo)
With more than eight days passed since any word came from her, Walker County 911 dispatcher Theresa Parker’s family is growing more fearful that she has met with tragedy.

“Something bad has happened to her,” said her sister Christina Hall in recalling a long list of appointments and events Theresa has missed since she was last seen Wednesday, March 21.

“The hardest thing is not knowing,” said her brother-in-law Jonathan Wilson, who came up from Florida with his wife, Theresa’s sister Hilda, to hold vigil on Monday. “What we’re focusing on right now is bringing our sister home.”

The mystery is taking its toll on the family’s emotions.

“We’re worn out and broken,” Jonathan said. “We just want to find her, and once we have that we’ll want answers."



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Sister of Missing Georgia 911 Dispatcher Says She Suspects Her Sister's Estranged Husband
Saturday , March 31, 2007



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LaFAYETTE, Ga. —

The sister of a Georgia 911 dispatcher who has been missing for ten days said Saturday that she believes her sister's estranged husband is involved in the disappearance.

Christina Hill told FOX News she had a gut feeling something bad happened to her sister, 41-year-old Teresa Parker.

Teresa was in the midst of a divorce from her husband, Sam Parker, when she disappeared over a week ago.

"I can honestly say that I do believe he's involved. That’s what I feel, that’s what I know in my heart," Hill said.

“I know of an incident last year where she was really scared, she was really afraid. And she looked me in the eyes and told me that she was afraid that she was going to die,” she added.

Police, however, say they have not classified Parker, a sergeant with the LaFayette, Ga., police department, as a suspect.

Teresa's other sister, Hilda Wilson, told FOX News she hasn't heard a word from her sister's husband since the search began, but refused to comment on whether she suspected him.

"We're still hopeful that we're going to be able to being her home safe and sound. If not we just want to bring her home," Wilson said.

Investigators are continuing a widespread search for Teresa Saturday that includes 168 volunteers, a dive team and 5 dog teams. The search will continue until nightfall, and begin again on Sunday morning, rain or shine.

The patrol car of Sam Parker was routinely turned over to the Walker County Sheriff's Department, then to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, to be examined, FOXNews.com confirmed.

"The car was brought in yesterday and the chief of police turned that vehicle over to us to examine, the GBI to examine, to look at more for investigative purposes, whether to rule in or rule out the fact that that car could've been used. We're not saying that car was used," Walker County Sheriff Steve said Friday.

The car was being released back to the Lafayette police on Friday.

Police say the more time that passes since Teresa has been seen, the less likely she will be found alive.

"Certainly you have to look at that and believe that at this stage of the investigation," Wilson said. "At some point, obviously, we will maybe change the focus of this investigation probably from a missing person to possibly a death investigation of some sort if the evidence leads us this way."

There is no evidence pointing to another man in Parker's life, Wilson said, and there has been no use of her credit or debit cards since she disappeared. Her husband indicated her purse and an overnight bag were missing from the house she was living in, but besides that, the residence was immaculate.

Records show at least three domestic violence reports between Parker and her husband since 2002, according to local news reports.

Sam Parker had moved out of the home he and his wife once shared, and Teresa was in the midst of moving to a neighboring town when she disappeared. Sam has not been named a suspect and has been interviewed several times by investigators.

"He's been cooperative so far, so far has answered our questions," Wilson told FOXNews.com earlier this week. "At this point I would not classify him as a suspect, he's certainly been cooperative but on the flip side, we have not eliminated anyone as a suspect, either."

Sam Parker was fishing with LaFayette attorney Bill Slack the same time on Wednesday when Theresa's family last saw her, reported The Walker County Messenger. Slack had represented Theresa and others in her family in the past. He said Sam was acting completely normal, and seemed relieved that the divorce was going through.

Click here to read the Walker County Messenger

The death of both of Sam's parents within the last year left him with no financial worries. The terms of divorce had been established, the property had been divided and the papers were reportedly ready to be filed any day, Slack told the newspaper.

"It was done," Slack said. "There was no more fussing or anything. It was all done. That part of his life was over."

Slack said he knew the couple had their problems, but didn't suspect violence was ever an issue. He also said Sam has willingly complied with the investigation into his wife's disappearance, and that his house, car, father's house and wife's car have all been searched. He even turned over his bank and phone records and had his clothes and body tested for fluids.

"I'd like to think they've exhausted any probability that Sam was involved because there seems to be nothing to point to him physically, motive-wise, opportunity. Nothing," Slack told the newspaper. "If Sam had anything to do with her disappearance it would be an absolute shock to me."

He added: "They've done everything you can think of and there is nothing to tie him to her (disappearance). He doesn't know where she is and he certainly didn't harm her. He had no reason to harm her."

Relatives of Teresa Parker's contacted the Walker County sheriff's office on Saturday. She was last heard from about 10 p.m. Wednesday when she talked on the phone with her sister, Wilson said. It was Parker's habit to talk to her mother or other relatives at least once a day.

"Obviously this is totally uncharacteristic for her. ... She's always been a very punctual type person who is very dedicated to her job, her family," Wilson told FOXNews.com.

No one at the 911 dispatch center noticed her absence, Wilson said, because she was scheduled to be off work. But she failed to show up Monday for her 7 p.m. shift.

"We knew then, we're just very, very concerned at this point because this is just not typical for her," Wilson said.

The case was turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation because of the close ties between Parker and the local authorities, Wilson said. She has been a 911 operator for about 15 years, and worked as a police emergency dispatcher before that.

Wilson, who knows her personally, described her as a "very knowledgeable, very thorough employee, a very likeable person."

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GBI, Dalton Crime Scene Unit team search Parker home


03/31/07
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Messenger photo by Matt Ledger
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At about 5 p.m. Saturday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at the residence of Sam and Theresa Parker at 985 Cordell Ave. in LaFayette.

“The basis for the search warrant,” Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said, “was the development of leads and information obtained during the past seven days in the Theresa Parker missing person investigation.”

Authorities declined to discuss details of the search or its outcome.

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New Developments In Theresa Parker Search




Reported by Will Carr

There are new developments in the case of Theresa Parker. The G.B.I. has served a search warrant on the home of her husband Sam Parker. Parker let them search the home earlier this week but investigators tell Eyewitness News that new leads have led to the search warrant.

Investigators also dragged a pond that is directly across from the Parker's house. They didn't find anything and have moved onto another pond in the area. That as nearly two-hundred people are searching close to seventy-five square miles in southern Walker County for the missing dispatcher.

The rescuers are searching south of Lafayette because Theresa Parker's last cell phone call hit two towers in that area. That's why Saturday family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers hit the woods trying to find any answers to help solve this mystery.

"See anything in there chase??....It's old?," Jonathan Wilson asks in the woods of Southern Walker County.

Wilson is searching for anything that could help find Theresa Parker.

"I could go twenty four hours if I had to. It's not like we've been getting any sleep," Wilson says.

Wilson is Parker's brother-in-law and says Saturday's turnout is overwhelming.

More than a hundred and seventy people showed up to Walker County Fire Station Number 15.

"Certainly as long as you think you can help us. We're grateful for that," Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson tells a group of volunteers.

Teams spread out across the area and mark anything that could be a potential clue.

"Let's go through here...I'll go through this thick part," Wilson says.

Wilson's group is checking everything. They're looking in drains, sticking their heads in abandoned cabins, and searching the thick woods. They're all hoping for clues that could shed some light on Parker's disappearance.

"It's just uplifting...it gives us hope," Wilson says.

Even people who don't know Parker are helping out. Andrew Dupree is a Catoosa County Volunteer Firefighter and is searching because he says it's the right thing to do. "I'll stay out here to help out as long as I can and if they search another day I'll be glad to come back and help again," Dupree says.

Sheri Stockburger works with Parker and has known her for six years.

"It's the least that I can do because Theresa she'd be out here for me," Stockburger says.

And Wilson says he appreciates all of the hard work that's being put in to help find his sister-in-law. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart...from the family's heart...and I know my wife it just brought tears to her eyes when she saw all the cars and all the people," Wilson says.

They started searching at nine Saturday morning and will continue until around eight o'clock Saturday night. Besides looking for Parker, searchers are looking for her cell phone, clothes, jewelry, or anything that could point them in the right direction.

Investigators aren't saying much more than they were yesterday about Sam Parker. Parker has been a police officer for twenty years. There is some evidence of past domestic problems but right now investigators aren't saying he's a suspect. But they're also saying they haven't eliminated anyone as a suspect.


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Back to Local News

Team Coverage: The Search for Theresa Parker




We have team coverage of a story that continues to make national headlines. The 24-hour news networks stayed on top of this story all weekend long as did Channel-3.

Today, Sam Parker was supposed to return to work at the LaFayette Police Department. He did not.


With dozens even hundreds taking part in the search for Theresa Parker. It leaves some asking where's Sam Parker, her soon to be ex-husband.

Sam Parker was expected to be back on duty at the Lafayette Police Department where he's a 20 year veteran officer, but his sister called instead.

Lafayette Public Safety Director Tommy Freeman says, " She was speaking for Sam. She wanted to know if they could get more leave time to deal with problems he's facing and I granted that."

Hilda Wilson, Theresa Parker's sister says, "It concerns me because earlier I said I hoped he'd be out here searching with us. I am concerned."

Channel Three Eyewitness News has learned Parker was in a hospital. possibly a psychiatric or rehabilitation facility late last week. We do not know if he's still there. Officially his director says he knows where Parker is, but he will not share that with us.


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Pond search turns up no new clues in missing dispatcher case


04/04/07
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Walker County Emergency Services workers finished draining a pond on Cordell Avenue in LaFayette on Tuesday at 11 p.m., said Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

“There was no evidence found at the pond linking the site to the disappearance of Theresa Parker,” the sheriff said.

The 3/4-acre pond is on private property near Sam and Theresa Parker’s Cordell Road residence.

Divers first inspected the pond last Saturday, but lowering the water helped ensure that officers have done a thorough inspection of the water while protecting investigators.

“This particular pond has a lot of brush in it, trees and stumps around the edges, and they were afraid they were going to get tangled up in it and pose a safety hazard to the divers,” he said.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call (706) 624-1424, (706) 638-1913 or (706) 375-7810.
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LaFayette police corporal arrested in connection with missing woman case


04/03/07
Eric Beavers
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LaFayette Police Department Cpl. Harbin “Ben” Chaffin SOUNDOFF: Post your comments and read comments from others.


Authorities have arrested LaFayette Police Department Cpl. Harbin “Ben” Chaffin in connection with the case of missing 911 dispatcher Theresa Parker.

Chaffin, an officer with more than 10 years of experience, was charged around 9 p.m. on Monday for making false statements to an officer during the course of an official investigation, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said Tuesday afternoon at a news conference.

Officials declined to give specifics about the charge or arrest.

Alongside Wilson at the conference were Georgia Bureau of Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jerry Scott, Special Agent Dan Sims and LaFayette Public Safety Director Tommy Freeman.

Scott called the arrest “significant.”

“We’ve got a lady who has been missing for nearly two weeks, so any pWalker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, white shirt, talks to reporters at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. (Messenger photo/Matt Ledger)
rogress is significant,” Scott said. “Other than to say we have made an arrest related to this case, but not directly related, into locating Mrs. Parker; pretty much that’s all the bureau is going to comment. We have made an arrest pertaining to this case.

“The investigation is continuing,” Scott said. “We’re making progress on the case and hopefully we’ll have a resolution in the relatively near future.”

The FBI has also assisted in the investigation, Wilson said.

Parker and her husband Sam, a sergeant with the LaFayette Police, were in the proces

Jonathan Wilson, brother-in-law to Theresa Parker, talks to reporters Tuesday afternoon following a news conference. (Messenger photo/Matt Ledger) s of divorcing. Sam Parker has not been charged, he said.

Chaffin and Sam Parker work the same shift, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., but not necessarily the same days, Freeman said, adding that he believes the two are friends.

Freeman said Chaffin not only faces the felony charge but is under suspension and will undergo an internal investigation as well. The felony charge carries a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of one to five years in prison, according to state law.

“Unfortunately one of my officers was arrested with what he’s been charged with and that’s very unfortunate,” Freeman said.

As for Parker, he has not been charged and has extended his vacation into next week, he said.

“Officially, he is taking sick leave time due to his wanting try to reconcile with whatever is ailing (him) and helping him deal with the disappearance of his wife,” he said. “I thought it was best for him to take a vacation or sick leave time in order for him to deal with that.”

Freeman made assurances that he and his agency have been “fully cooperating with the sheriff’s department and the GBI in every aspect of this case.”

Polygraph, or “lie detector,” tests have been administered during the investigation but GBI representatives would not comment on the goals or results of the tests.

On CNN’s Nancy Grace show Friday night, Sheriff Wilson said Sam Parker has not taken a lie detector test.

Chaffin was taken to the Whitfield County jail “for his own safety and for the safety of our staff here at the Walker County Sheriff’s Office,” Wilson said.

Officers at the session did not elaborate on the cause of the charges. Information is still lean as investigators asked for patience from the media and community.

“There are many things that we are still unable to talk to you about,” Wilson said. “There are many questions that will still remain unanswered because we need to protect the integrity of the investigation.

The work is still going on at the office and in the field, Wilson said. Investigators are poring over data while workers are pumping water from a 3/4-acre pond on private property near the couple’s Cordell Road residence in LaFayette. Divers inspected the pond on Saturday, but lowering the water will ensure officers have done a thorough inspection of the water while protecting investigators.

“This particular pond has a lot of brush in it, trees and stumps around the edges, and they were afraid they were going to get tangled up in it and pose a safety hazard to the divers,” he said.

Wilson said the pond should be low enough to fully inspect by Tuesday afternoon.

The long days are beginning to weigh heavy on investigators, Wilson said.

“Just because we’re not out walking through the woods doesn’t mean that we’re not working hard,” Wilson said. “Many of us are working 16-18 hour days and have been for over 10 days. Many investigators are very fatigued, not only in body but in mind and in spirit.”

On behalf of the family and the law enforcement agencies involved in the search for Parker, Wilson thanked the media for getting the story out to the community and nation.

The investigative team has not given up hope but the optimism that Parker will be found alive may not hold up much longer, he said.

“We realistically know that as each day goes by that our chances of finding her may diminish greatly,” Wilson said.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call (706) 624-1424, (706) 638-1913 or (706) 375-7810.


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Sheriff: “At this point we welcome any information that will help us find Theresa.”
04/03/07
Eric Beavers
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Psychics and other similar seekers have offered their assistance in the search for Theresa Parker.

The last known contact with Parker was by her sister at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21. Her mother reported her missing at around 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, kicking off the search for the missing woman.

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said several psychics have contacted his office. He’s skeptical, but is following some of the leads coming from anyone with an idea.

“We had a lady call in who said she was a psychic and asked if we needed her help,” Wilson said. Another caller said, “I’m not a psychic, but I have a feeling.”

If some kind of divine intervention helps in the case, so be it.

“I know people are praying that we find Theresa,” he said. “At this point we welcome any information that will help us find Theresa.”

Sam Herbert, a clairaudient psychic investigator from Berkeley, Cali., said she wants to help the police find the missing 911 dispatcher. She said she hears things rather than seeing them like a clairvoyant.

Herbert said she has worked with many law enforcement agencies and the FBI. In 2006, she assisted in the search for Tara Grinstead of Ocilla. In that case, Grinstead went to a barbecue one day and was gone the next.

“She was a teacher who basically just disappeared off the face of the earth,” she said.

Now Herbert is volunteering her services in the search to find Parker.

“I’ve worked on Theresa Parker’s case and I have some information that I believe can help find her,” she said.

Herbert asked that the details of her visions be withheld to avoid upsetting the family or giving false sense of hope, but Wilson now has that information.

David Allen, a dowser from Lewiston, Idaho, said that if he had an original photograph — not a digital image or copy — he could tell within a minute if the subject is alive or dead. In the worst-case scenario, Allen said he could pinpoint the location of the body within 30 feet.

Dowsers are typically known for divining the location of water or veins of precious metals underground.

“I also do map dowsing,” Allen said. “I developed this system quite a while ago and I’ve used it two or three times.”

Allen said an original photograph holds the subjects “exclusive frequencies.” He uses Google Earth to help with the map dowsing.

“I’ll guarantee you, this is 100 percent true,” he said.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?...oryID=3511&on=1



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Court Appearance For LaFayette Police Officer
April 4,2007
The LaFayette, Georgia police officer arrested in connection with the disappearance of a Walker County woman has a court appearance tomorrow morning.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Harbin "Ben" Chaffin on charges of lying to an agent.
This happened during the investigation into the disappearance of Theresa Parker who has been missing now for two weeks.
Parker was in the middle of a divorce from LaFayette Police Sergeant Sam Parker.
The couple has a history of domestic violence and investigators call Sergeant Parker a "person of interest."
He and Chaffin are close friends and both were off duty on the day Theresa Parker was last seen. Randy Bullard lives on the same street as Chaffin and has his suspicions, "I'm thinking they got something to do with it, but I can't say nothing around here, I don't want to get into no trouble, but something ain't right. It's kind of fishy," Bullard said.


Investigators say they want to speak to to Sgt Parker in the next few days.
He remains on vacation from the police department.


http://www.newschannel9.com/onset?id=11113...=%25M+%25e,%25Y
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GBI giving missing dispatcher case priority status


04/07/07
Eric Beavers
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Vernon Keenan, GBI directorr
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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has to prioritize missing person cases, and the search for missing 911 dispatcher Theresa Parker is at the top of the list, GBI Director Vernon Keenan said.

Keenan was in LaFayette on Friday to personally get a status report from his investigators working Parker’s missing person case and to ensure that Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson is getting all the assistance he needs.

“These type of cases are a priority for the state of Georgia,” Keenan said. “There’s an entire apparatus that comes into play whenever there is a priority case like this, where evidence submitted to the crime lab gets priority handling, the analytical component of the intelligence unit comes into play and of course the regional office (in Calhoun) that forms the backbone of our investigative capabilities makes it a priority.”

The GBI recorded the number for a set period of time of women beginning with age 18 that were reported missing and then looked at how many of those cases have been resolved.

“We looked at all those reports and started work through our intelligence unit to deter-mine how many of those women are still missing and how many of them have been re-turned,” Keenan said. “Our purpose in that was to try to have the record accurately reflect missing women so law enforcement can stay concentrated on those that are currently still missing.”

“When a female is reported missing under suspicious circumstances it becomes a law enforcement priority as this case has,” he said.

Investigators have to use a sliding scale to prioritize open missing women cases, he said.

“It really prioritizes by the circumstances that they were reported missing,” Keenan said. “If a housewife is missing under suspicious circumstances, that immediately gets law enforcement’s attention. Some of these other people may be persons who have a history of running away, or have a history of mental illness or acute drug abuse.

“Yes, that merits law enforcement’s attention, but not the seriousness of a housewife missing,” he said. “They’re always serious, but some of these cases stand out as a problem.”

Parker has no record of running away, previous disappearances or drug use.

Keenan said there are several high profile cases around the state, both open and closed. Sueann Ray was reported missing last summer in Cherokee County and her vehicle was found abandoned in Wal-Mart parking lot. Law officials arrested her ex-husband for her murder after their recent divorce.

“That was an intense investigation, as is this one (for Parker), with a tremendous amount of resources applied to it with the local law enforcement and the GBI,” Keenan said, adding the Parker case was handled similarly “in the context that every lead is aggressively pursued as it develops.”

In Ocilla, single high school history teacher Tara Grinstead vanished in October 2005. She is still missing and authorities are still looking for her.

“I’m sorry to say these are not unusual cases in the state of Georgia or the United States,” Keenan said. “Some cases become high profile. Others do not.”

“These are important cases and we desperately want to bring resolution to what has happened,” he said.

Keenan, formerly special agent in charge at the regional Calhoun office, worked in northwest Georgia from 1973 to 1988 and is familiar with the area and local law enforcement agencies.


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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call (706) 624-1424, (706) 638-1913 or (706) 375-7810.
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Talk Of The Town Is Theresa Parker
Seth Seymour
April 7, 2007 - 5:41PM
Still no word Saturday from the Walker County 911 dispatcher missing now for more than two weeks.

But around the town of Lafayette, plenty of people are talking about Theresa Parker.

Nearly everywhere you go, you hear about Theresa. You see signs praying for her safe return. You see ribbons on homes and businesses.

"We all just hope she is found soon," said Patty Davis, who works for the Dari-Dip in Lafayette.

The reason for the ribbon on the Dari-Dip is the talk of the town.

"A lot of people come in and they discuss it," Davis said. "There's quite a gathering of people concerned for her."

In such a small town like Lafeyette, Theresa Parker has become a household name.

"There's a desperate sense now of needing to know what happened to her," Davis said.

At Main Street Deli in the center of town, employee Shannon Smith said, "I don't think (the talk) will stop until they know what happened to her."

Smith, too, hears a lot from customers about the mystery surrounding Theresa -- and the massive search to find her.

"It makes me hopeful that if anything happens to you, everyone would be willing to help," Smith said.

Added Davis, "It is really sad because it could have happened to any one of us, any one of us could be missing.

At the Dari-Dip like so many other businesses, employees and patrons pray for a safe return. But hope is fading.

"People were optimistic to begin with," Davis said, "but people are little more concerned now that there's been no word from her."

And that has led to speculation across town -- rumors about who, if anyone, is responsible for the disappearance of Theresa Parker.

"Everyone wants to know where she is," Davis said, "and what happened to such a gracious lady."

Search crews are taking the weekend off. But the sheriff of Walker County says crews are ready at a moment's notice if any new leads come up in the case.

NewsChannel 9 also has learned new information about the LaFayette police officer who was arrested on charges of lying to a GBI agent about the disappearance of Theresa.

Harbin Chaffin posted bond Friday night in the amount of $5,000 and was released from custody.

Chaffin will appear in Walker County Superior Court. A date has not been set.

http://www.newschannel9.com/articles/there...vis_people.html
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New Information in Case of Missing 911 Dispatcher
Sarah Jennings
April 13, 2007 - 6:22PM
We have new developments in the case of missing 911 Supervisor, Theresa Parker. The Walker County dispatcher has been missing now for more than three weeks and detectives are getting fewer leads. Most of their investigative focus has been on Parker's estranged husband, Sam Parker. Parker is "a person of interest in the case" but not a suspect. We now know the LaFayette Police Sergeant has lost his job. He was a 20 year veteran but last week chief Tommy Freeman placed him on suspension without pay. Chief Freeman says it was for an unrelated policy violation--having explosives in his police locker. You can depend on us to bring you the latest on NewsChannel 9.

http://www.newschannel9.com/articles/parke...se_missing.html
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Neighbors say Sgt. Parker threatened to hurt himself


04/14/07
Tim Carlfeldt
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Sgt. Sam Parker
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Former LaFayette police Sgt. Sam Parker was escorted by his personal physician from his home on Cordell Avenue late Friday night after a call to 911 indicated trouble at the home.

Reports from neighbors who declined to be indentified indicated that Parker “was threatening to hurt himself.”

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson spoke with Parker. “He is receiving medical attention, and is under the care of his physician.” Wilson said at the scene after Parker left.

Parker was fired from his job Friday because of explosive devices found by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in his work locker during a search last week. That search was part of the investigation into the disappearance of Parker’s estranged wife Theresa, who was last seen March 21.

Although GBI has named Sam Parker as a “person of interest” and has questioned him extensively, LaFayette Director of Public Safety Tommy Freeman said his firing is in no way connected to the investigation of his wife’s disappearance.

Sheriff Wilson arrived at Parker’s home after authorities had blocked off on Cordell Avenue in anticipation of a potential standoff and the need for medical personnel. Wilson declined to elaborate on the specific nature of the 911 call or by whom it was placed.

Wilson said he summoned Parker’s sister Carolyn Wooten to the scene as well as Parker’s personal physician. “She went inside the house and then she and Sam came out and spoke with us in the driveway.”

Wilson said that Parker was very despondent. “He communicated to me that it had been a very bad day – he had lost his job, investigators have been coming down hard on him and he didn’t know where his wife was.”

Wilson characterized the situation as “a good ending to what could have been a tragic evening.”

“When we responded here we certainly didn’t know what the outcome would be,” the sheriff said. “I’ve known Sam for 27 years, and I’m happy to report that we were able to defuse a very tense moment.”

The sheriff said that he was the only law enforcement officer up at the house during the situation, and that there were no threats made or weapons brandished. The sheriff declined to elaborate further as to Parker’s mental state or where he is being treated.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call (706) 624-1424, (706) 638-1913 or (706) 375-7810.
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?...=localnews&om=1

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Dispatcher's Family Starts A Search Fund
April 23, 2007 - 6:26PM
The family of missing 9-1-1 dispatcher Theresa Parker wants your help.

Her older sister and brother-in-law started a fund to BOOST the one thousand dollar discovery reward.
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue's office set up that reward at the request of Sheriff Steve Wilson and Representative Jay Neal.
After almost five weeks of intensive searches and investigation, there has been no sign of Parker.
She was in the middle of a divorce with her husband Sam Parker, who just got fired from the LaFayette police department for having explosives in his locker.
The G-B-I calls him the only person of interest.
Meanwhile, if you'd like to contribute to the search fund, make your check out to The Theresa Parker Fund.
An account has been set up at the Bank of LaFayette.


http://www.newschannel9.com/articles/parke...und_family.html
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http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_108934.asp

Press Conference Set Monday In Teresa Parker Case

posted June 16, 2007

A press conference has been called for Monday afternoon in connection with the case of missing 911 operator Teresa Parker.

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said it will be an update on the case and additional information on the reward that is being offered.

It will be at 2 p.m. at the sheriff's office in LaFayette.

Also set to take part are members of the Parker family as well as the GBI, which is heading up the probe.

Ms. Parker has been missing without a trace since March 22.

She was in the middle of a divorce at the time, but her husband, former LaFayette Police Sgt. Sam Parker has denied having anything to do with her disappearance.



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