By Lindsay Doty
Family members of missing Avon mother Najah Ferrell stood by police at a press conference on Thursday with two giant photos of Ferrell with her children.
We were like best friends,” said a tearful Paula Gholsen, Ferrell’s mother.
“She would tell me sometimes and tease and say, ‘Mom, you’re my best friend. Darn, my mother is my best friend.’ But that’s okay, that’s a good thing,” Gholsen said as she thanked Avon police for their continued efforts to find her daughter.
Avon police updated the public on the investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Najah Ferrell, 30, was last seen around 3 a.m. on March 15 at her home near Dan Jones Road and County Road 100 South. Her vehicle was located at Michigan Road and 86th Street, about two and a half miles from the Panera Bread where she was expected to do work training that day.
Police have since recovered some of her personal items from the area of I-65 and Lafayette Road.
“We had received information that some property belonging to Najah had actually been located,” Avon Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Brian Nugent said. “I’m not going to get into the details of what those items were.”
He says they do consider the case to be suspicious but have no suspects or persons of interest at this time.
Investigators have served more than 30 search warrants (for everything from electronics to property), conducted dozens of interviews and searched Ferrell’s Avon home looking for evidence.
Investigators are currently analyzing video from 12 different locations in hopes of finding more information about what happened to her.
Detectives are also using search and rescue dogs and are also working with the Indiana State Police Aviation team to search wooded areas.
“We will not stop, tonight, next week or next year until we can find Najah and bring her back to her family,” Nugent said. “We are trying to get the big picture.”
Ferrell has three foster children and two biological children.
“I just want to urge the community if you know anything or hear anything to please call. Help us,” Gholsen said.
If you have any information on Ferrell’s whereabouts, please contact the Hendricks County Communications Center at 317-839-8700 or call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS.
