Tulsa woman vanishes without a trace

Karen Heim's family hasn't seen her since Christmas Day. Her car was found abandoned and wiped clean of fingerprints.<br/><br/>Her family is losing hope that she's alive, but want her brought

Tuesday, March 21st 2006, 10:08 am

By: News On 6

Karen Heim's family hasn't seen her since Christmas Day. Her car was found abandoned and wiped clean of fingerprints.

Her family is losing hope that she's alive, but want her brought home, no matter what happened to her. News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright takes a look at the case.

Christmas Day for the Heim family was full of presents and fun, laughter and love. Karen, the younger of two daughters, was there with her son Ryan. There was no indication it would be the last time her family would see or hear from her again. But it was and that was three, terrible months ago. Karenâ€™s mom Jackie Heim: "As each day went by, I never really lost hope. I've come to that point where I have just about."

Karen's family didn't know there was a problem until the Red River, Texas Sheriff's Office called two days after Christmas to say they'd found her car. The car was found in the middle of a road with both passenger doors open, the hood up and her purse sitting on top of the car right here with Karen's driver's license, social security card and money still inside.

Her family says Karen didn't have a boyfriend, no feud that they knew of and no reason she'd go to Texas. Karenâ€™s brother in law Kevin Pollard: "She liked being around people and for her to go off by herself to Texas, just doesn't make sense. She wouldn't go to Skiatook by herself if she had a friend to go. Nothing about Texas makes sense."

Her family held out hope Karen was alive until her son's birthday came and went in early March. That was the final blow and they knew if she didn't call, she must be dead. Kevin Pollard: "You see this so many times on the TV and you think, those poor folks, what would I do? You just don't have a clue until it happens to you."

The family desparately wants Karen home, even if it's only to lay her to rest.

The family is adding $2,000 to the Crimestoppers reward fund for information leading to Karen's return.

Anyone who knows something, no matter how small, can call 596-COPS and remain anonymous.