Publication Unknown  8-24-1976

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) – The search continued today for a female deputy of the Garland County sheriff’s office who has been missing since Saturday.

Authorities said they had no idea of her whereabouts.

Linda Edwards, 29, was reported missing by a woman hired as a babysitter to take care of her children. She also was reported missing by Sara Edwards, with whom she lives. The Edwards women are not related.

Sgt. Roy Smith of the sheriff’s office said today a search of an area where the woman’s car was found Sunday turned up nothing. “We had several leads of persons seeing people of her description, but so far nothing has panned out,” said Smith.

The car was found parked off Arkansas 290 about 18 miles southeast of Hot Springs.

Smith said State Police lab technicians had been asked to examine the car and the FBI may be asked to enter the case.

“We don’t have any evidence to indicate foul play, but we’re not ruling it out because there’s some reason why she’s not showing up,” said Smith.

(Mrs. Edwards is a sister to Roy Ockert Jr., editor of the Batesville Guard and Weekly Record. Mr. Ockert is vacationing in Florida with his family.)