Search For Missing Woman Focused On Rural Areas Of Wake County

RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh authorities continue their search for a Wendell woman who has not been seen in nearly a week.

Raleigh police on Sunday focused their search for 48-year-old Cynthia Moreland on rural areas of Wake County and also called on experts from North Carolina State University and the state Highway Patrol to assist.

Moreland was last seen Tuesday morning when she dropped her husband off at work. On Wednesday morning, police found Moreland's car abandoned in southeast Raleigh, and on Friday, arrested 29-year-old Antonio Chance in connection with her disappearance.

Chance has been charged with kidnapping and obtaining property by false pretenses and is being held on $1 million bond at the Wake County Jail. Police have not said whether he is cooperating with investigators.

As officers and canine units continued their search on land and by air, nearly 200 people gathered Sunday evening for a vigil at Mount Peace Baptist Church, where Moreland is a member of the congregation.

"It's something that I just can't believe. I'm just waiting for somebody to wake me up," said Walter Moreland on his wife's disappearance. "But I know it's a reality."

Authorities said Moreland's access card to a parking garage on Wilmington Street was used at 6:40 a.m., but she never reported to work at Progress Energy, whose headquarters is located above the parking garage.

Saturday, the utility company announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information that helps authorities find Moreland. Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities at 919-890-3555.

"Each day that passes, you have to be much stronger than the day before," Walter Moreland said. "Because if you don't you're going to fall to pieces."