Search is on for missing UVM student

Author: Lisie Mehlman

At the time of press, the Burlington Police Department (BPD) had yet to identify any suspects in the suspicious disappearance of University of Vermont (UVM) senior Michelle Gardner-Quinn, last seen in Burlington during the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 7. Deputy Police Chief Michael Schirling said in a phone interview on Tuesday that "this isn't necessarily kidnapping. This is very unusual and we don't yet know the circumstances [surrounding Gardner-Quinn's disappearance]." Following this interview, however, the BPD disseminated a press release in which it explained that "over the past 24 hours we have received a number of helpful leads that have sent the investigation in specific directions."

The 21-year-old Arlington, VA native and transfer student - Gardner-Quinn had begun her studies at UVM just six weeks ago - vanished while returning home from downtown bars around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday morning, although the exact location of her disappearance is still unknown. Her parents, in town for UVM's Family Weekend, notified police that she was missing when she failed to show up for dinner with them on Saturday. On Monday, more than 25 law enforcement officials joined the search for both Gardner-Quinn and for clues to her disappearance. According to its October 9 news release, the BPD has aggregated assistance from federal, state and local agencies to follow leads, and as of Tuesday morning, more than 50 investigators were working full time on her case, holding interviews and employing the use of K-9 search teams.

The BPD is looking to Burlington residents as it seeks to learn more about Gardner-Quinn's disappearance. In both its press release and news conference on Monday, it asked that anyone with information about a vehicle considered "of interest/a preliminary lead that may or may not be related to this case" contact them immediately. The automobile in question is a Subaru-type hatchback with gold trim and a gold pinstripe driven by a six-foot-tall, white male in his 20s with light brown hair and facial stubble. This driver, clad in a gray hooded sweatshirt and baseball cap, is reported to have asked another female walking downtown to get into his vehicle just after Gardner-Quinn is believed to have disappeared. It remains unclear whether these incidents are related.

Gardner-Quinn's parents echoed the BPD's call for more information in a press conference on Tuesday. Composed, her father said, "We remain hopeful that we will find her and that she will be returned to us safe and sound. I beg of everyone that hears this broadcast that if they know anything at all … that they tell us instantly."

During a phone interview Tuesday, Schirling alluded to his fielding of an inundation of media inquiries regarding Gardner-Quinn. When asked why her disappearance is garnering such immense national news coverage, he replied, "It's in Vermont. It's safe. She's a home-town college student that has no real baggage. It's incredibly unusual. There aren't that many kidnappings each year - they are measured in hundreds, not thousands."

When asked about his missing schoolmate, UVM junior Bill Ottman said, "I guess my question is, why is this the only kidnapping I've heard about? Not to downplay the situation - it's a twisted and messed up thing to happen, and I hope she makes it out - but doesn't this happen frequently?" He continued, "Maybe it doesn't happen in Burlington very often. I have no idea. It would be cool to see how many kidnappings do take place everyday, and where the most happen, and which ones actually get play. And why? Is it because she goes to UVM? Because of the social spot she occupies?"

As for the sentiments of the rest of the student body, Director of University Communications Enrique Corredera explained during an interview Tuesday that "it varies from student to student. Some students feel frustrated and some feel an overall concern for safety. It's hard to tell which feeling is stronger." Ottman said that "the vibe on campus is a little shaken up, but I would not say people are raving about it by any means. I've actually heard very little."

According to Corredera, students feel frustrated because they want to get involved and do something to help, but they are not quite sure just what they can do. He said that the administration "is getting involved to help coordinate and facilitate student involvement and to ensure that their efforts do not interfere with the actions of the BPD. Students have been very active in printing out posters and the Inter Residence Association is coordinating a ribbon campaign." In addition to these efforts, the University's Women's Center organized a candlelight vigil held on Tuesday evening. Corredera said that the University's "concern for the welfare of Michelle is profound and is deepening with every hour. Our thoughts are with her family and friends, and our energies are focused on assisting the investigation and supporting her family as well as keeping the community informed fully."

Corredera stressed that during his almost 20 years at UVM, "nothing of this nature has ever occurred" at the university. It is unsurprising, then, that so much of BPD's response to Gardner-Quinn's disappearance has taken the form of cautioning Burlington residents about safety measures to which they should adhere. A letter to the UVM student population from University President Daniel Fogel on Tuesday revealed that "a community safety forum will take place in Burlington on the evening of Wednesday, October 11, followed by a campus forum on Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m. in the Ira Allen Chapel." The BPD has also posted its Guide to Crime Prevention on its Web site.