Texas search team looks for missing Stem woman

Stem, N.C. — A high-profile team continued to search on Saturday for a missing Granville County woman.

Texas EquuSearch has sent crews to North Carolina to help look for Kelly Morris. They also plan to conduct a search for a woman missing from Gastonia, its members said on their Web site.

On Saturday crews searched a 15-mile radius. They used side-sonar technology in ponds and Falls Lake. An airplane with a remote control camera was also used to scan wooded areas. The group also looked down wells with special cameras.

“I think we have plenty of tools. We have plenty of resources (and) a lot of determination on the part of the searchers, now we just need a little bit of luck to go along with it,” Texas EquuSearch founder Tim Miller said.

The team has assisted in several high-profile cases, including the search for missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway in Aruba. It is a volunteer, non-profit organization that conducts both horseback and foot searches.

Morris, 28, was last seen on the night of Sept. 3 by her husband, Scott, and children at their home at 3220 Tump Wilkins Road in Stem.

The next day, authorities found her car and personal belongings in an undeveloped subdivision about a mile from the home, shortly after firefighters responded to a fire at the residence.

Investigators believe the fire was set and do not believe Morris was at home at the time.

Authorities have not named any suspects, but have said Scott Morris is what they call a person of interest in his wife's disappearance.

Kelly Morris’ family is offering a $30,000 reward for information that leads to finding her.

Gov. Mike Easley added $5,000 to that total.

Family members say they will not stop searching and urge anyone with any information to contact Granville County sheriff's investigators at 919-693-3213 or a volunteer search line at 919-812-2310.