Friends and family of a Peconic teenager who went missing Monday are organizing a grassroots search party Thursday to look for the girl, while local police follow up on several leads that they have received since publicizing her disappearance.
Organizers posted a message on the Facebook page dedicated to 16-year-old Ashley Murray’s disappearance and notified the community that a volunteer search party will meet by the flag pole at Southold High School Thursday at 3 p.m.
The group has used the social media site to distribute Murray’s missing person’s flyer and to also plead for her to return home.
“Ashley,” the message reads, “It’s pouring rain and it’s so cold outside. You don’t have a winter coat, which worries everyone in this weather. Please come home to the warmth, to the love, to the people who care so much about you.”
Southold police released a statement Wednesday and noted that they have received “dozens of tips” from the public and are following up on a number of leads. The department also said its continuing its search with the help of various agencies including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, several East End police departments, as well as local and state law enforcement agencies.
Murray was last seen leaving her home at 8 a.m. Monday wearing a black and gray hooded sweatshirt, red sweatpants and black boots. Murray also wears hearing aids in both ears, police said.
She is described as white, 5-feet, 4-inches tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about Murray’s disappearance to contact Southold police at 631-765-2600.
