More Searchers Join The Hunt For Cori Baker

Wednesday, November 28th 2007, 11:46 am

By: News On 6

A new group has joined the search for missing teen Cori Baker. EquuSearch, a professional volunteer organization from Texas, brings with it a track record of success in missing personsâ€™ cases. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports that since it was founded in 2000, EquuSearch has helped find the bodies of dozens of missing people.

The volunteers still desperate to find Cori Baker say the group's arrival is the shot in the arm they need. As they have for the past two weeks, volunteers met at the Mabee Center, near 81st and Lewis, before heading out to renew their search. But unlike other days, Wednesday's effort was organized by EquuSearch. The group is confident it can accomplish what the police and volunteers have not: finding Cori Baker's body.

"I feel like we'll able to bring closure to this family, maybe even today, I'm hoping even for today,â€ said Cindy Wisdom with EquuSearch.

"We've learned a lot just in the first couple of hours,â€ said volunteer searcher Norm Smaligo.

The volunteers admit that while well-meaning, most of them have no experience with these kinds of searches. EquuSearch, on the other hand, has been doing this for years. Searchers say they welcome the group's expertise.

"It's really given us a shot in the arm to get our spirits back up. We were getting discouraged to be honest. It's really picked us up a bit,â€ said volunteer searcher Norm Smaligo.

Just as law enforcement did last week, the searchers scoured wooded areas near Union Alternative, Cori's school and the last place she was seen alive. EquuSearch will be focusing on areas that have already been searched by police and volunteers.

"We are re-searching some areas that have already been searched. It is not uncommon to go into an area that has already been searched and find our victim,â€ said Cindy Wisdom with EquuSearch.

While its search came up empty on Wednesday, EquuSearch members say they'll stay in Tulsa for as long as it takes.

"The more boots on the ground, that's what it's all about, just getting enough people out there looking, looking in the right way, and we'll find her,â€ said Cindy Wisdom with EquuSearch.

EquuSearch says it also plans to search the river, near 31st and Riverside Drive. That is where the suspect, Marquis Bullock, told police he dumped Cori. Bullock makes his first court appearance on Friday.

Watch the video: EquuSearch Helping Look For Cori Baker

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