Searchers Keep Hope Alive In Search For Lee County Woman

LEE COUNTY, N.C. — Volunteers were out again Saturday looking for a missing Lee County woman. Searchers are hoping for a sign, but they are still coming up empty.

People searched on foot, horseback and with ATV's near the area where 23-year-old Michelle Bullard was last seen. No clues surfaced Saturday, but the search was a big help in many other ways.

Investigators and volunteers launched an intense search nearly two weeks ago after Bullard disappeared from a Lee County home during an alleged home invasion. Investigators are handling the case as a kidnapping.

"We're looking for anything that belonged to Michelle," said Jackie Cox, of the Missing U Foundation. "We need any leads and anything that would lead us to the direction she might've gone."

So far, searchers haven't found anything, but at least they can eliminate the areas where they've already looked.

"We're not going to give up until we come to some sort of conclusion," said Chief Deputy Kevin Bryant, of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

For now, Bullard's family and friends cling to their faith, messages of hope and support system.

"Someone told me this is God's country, and it truly is," said Bullard's father Julian Bullard.