Search for missing woman 'very active' investigation, Edmonton police say

Ali Fneich's voice quavered when he spoke about his missing wife Thursday before the public and the media at Edmonton police headquarters.

NadiaAtwi, a 32-year-old kindergarten teacher, was last seen by her husband ataround 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 8 at their home near48thStreet and146thAvenue.

"I'm begging you, Nadia, to come home today," Fneich said. "Everybody in Edmonton, everybody in the world [is] waiting for you."

• Atwi family urges public to keep searching for missing kindergarten teacher
• Focus of search for missing woman moves to south Edmonton, police say

While Fneich spoke, his son began to cry in his arms, calling, "Mommy! Mommy!" into the microphone.

Sgt. Kevin Harrison from the Edmonton policemissing personsunit had little new information about the ongoing investigation.

Item found Tuesday, says searcher

On Thursday, searcherBrentKoewith Gerhard Disaster Animal Rescue Services told CBCNews that volunteers with the non-profit emergency response groupfound an item of interest near one of the bridges in Rundle ParkTuesday.

Koesaid he could not discuss what exactly was found but said it was later provided to police.

"That's up to the detectives to disclose," Koesaid. "It's definitely a lead that hopefully is promising and it will take us further into finding her."

Emergency services and police are still focused on the Edmonton area, Koe said, because there have been no relevant leads outside city limits.

'Very active' case

At Thursday's news conference, Harrisonsaid a "large team of investigators" is working on what he called a "very active" case.

RandaAtwi toldCBCNews on Tuesday that her sister had saidshe was leaving home to pick up their mother for their daily carpool to work. Later, whentheir mother arrived at Nadia's home, her husband said she had already left.

Nadia Atwi never made it to work that day. She stopped answering calls and text messages.

'We will do everything in our power to bring her home'

Her black Chevrolet Equinox with Alberta licence plate BWR 6282 was found later that day in a ditch at Rundle Park, Edmonton police said Thursday.

The police have conducted several co-ordinated searches in the city. Another aerial search is planned for Friday, Harrison said.

"We will do everything in our power to bring Nadia home," he said.

She has been reportedmissing before, but not for a lengthy period of time, Harrison said.

Police encourage public to keep searching

Harrison urged the public to continue actively looking.

"Time is of the essence in any missing persons investigation," he said. "It is critical if you spot her to contact us immediately. We encourage you not to wait."

As many as 20 volunteers heeded Harrison's messageand handed out flyers a few blocks away from Rogers Placeto Oilers fans heading to Thursday night's game.

NadaAwwadwas one of the volunteers standing on the side of the street Thursday night.

Nadia's mother SalwaAtwitaught at Glengarry School, where Awwad's younger siblings went to school.

Awwadsaid she has never met Nadia butheard about her from other people in the city'sArab and Muslim communities.

"It hits very close to home," Awwad said. "We're a very safe, close community. Everybody knows everybody everywhere and for somebody to go missing, it really makes you think about your own family."

The investigation has been focused in several areas in recent days. It started in Rundle Park with a team of 200 volunteers, then quickly expanded to small towns around Edmonton.

More than 8,000 people from across the province have now joined a Facebook group to help with the search.

Posters with NadiaAtwi's photograph have been put up at EdmontonLRT stations, onpeople's cars and on billboards across the province.

"We are doing our best to find you, wherever you are," Fneich said. "We look forward to having a happy ending for everybody."

Anyone with information about the disappearance is encouraged to contact police.