Search location for missing woman moved

The location of a weekend search party for Barstow resident Leisa Hurst, a missing 30-year-old single mother, has been moved to Helendale.

Volunteers are asked to meet near the neighborhood of Silver Lakes at the intersection of Shadow Mountain Road and Helendale Road at 10 a.m. to begin the search, according to Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby. Case investigators asked Hurst’s family to relocate the search party, which was originally planned for areas in Oro Grande, Libby said.

“Recent investigative information made it imperative that we move the location,” said Libby, who added that he could not offer details on an ongoing investigation.

The search party will move South and West from the intersection, Libby said.

Employees from the Barstow police department will help with the search in an off-duty capacity, Libby said. Libby, the case’s lead investigator, said that he will also attend to inform and guide volunteers.

“BPD officers will be there off-duty to help search and give as much advice as we can,” Libby said. “As far as I know, there’s going to be a pretty good turnout.”

Hurst, a mother of two, went missing on Jan. 22. Her orange Honda Element was found abandoned in Hesperia. Libby said that Jeami Chiapulis, a 36-year-old Helendale resident that had romantic relationship with Hurst, was somehow involved in her disappearance. Police have not named him as a suspect.

Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or cnguyen@desertdispatch.com

How to Help
Search Party for Leisa Hurst
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
Where: Intersection of Shadow Mountain Road and Helendale Road in Helendale
What to bring: Bottled water, walking shoes, attire for cold/rainy weather, hand-held radio/cell phone