Provo Police believe they may have recovered the bicycle a missing BYU student was last seen riding.

As of Thursday evening, police had redirected a search effort for Camille Cleverley to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon. Searchers worked there until darkness forced them to abandon their efforts Thursday night.

Provo Police Lt. John Geyerman said authorities would debrief Thursday and then decide how to conduct a further search today. Geyerman said they believe Cleverley rode up to the falls area and then went on a hike. However, they have not found any evidence as to where she went after parking her bike.

According to a news release issued Thursday night, police following up on a lead located a bicycle that looks like the one belonging to Cleverley, a 22-year-old BYU student from Boise who has been missing since Aug.30.

Police said individuals who stole an unattended bicycle at Bridal Veil Falls on Saturday saw news reports about Cleverley and then turned the bicycle into police Thursday.

Geyerman said police are working to verify that the bicycle belonged to Cleverley and then it will be tested for any forensic evidence. Police believe she purchased the bike at Shopko in Provo.

On Thursday, Geyerman said officers had not yet decided whether to pursue charges against the male and female who admitted cutting the chain and lock that secured the bicycle to a bike rack at Bridal Veil Falls.

Geyerman said searchers focused on the Bridal Veil Falls area Thursday and had the Provo River, which runs through the park at the base of the falls, lowered to facilitate searching along its banks.

Because of rain the last few days, search dogs brought in Thursday could not locate any scent, Geyerman said.

Yvonne Rasmussen of Orem, who said she is a neighbor to Cleverley's boyfriend, said she had been searching Wednesday and Thursday with the Destiny Search group and had been out with Cleverley's aunts and uncles who were in town to help with the search.

Earlier Thursday afternoon at a news conference, police were reporting that they had little to go on despite an exhaustive search of Provo Canyon by helicopter, airplane, ATVs and assistance from the FBI. Searchers scoured the Provo River trail Wednesday and Thursday but found no sign of Cleverley.

"All my employees have children, as I do, so we're taking this case very seriously and personally," Provo Police Capt. Cliff Argyle said at the afternoon news conference. "We've interviewed every contact, 40 in all, found in Camille's notebook, and we're also monitoring her bank account."

According to Police Chief Craig Geslison, Cleverley's debit card was used at Crest Gas and Convenience on 900 East a week ago, but Crest's cashier could not positively identify the person who used the card as Cleverley. He also said earlier tips at The Clean Getaway car wash on State St. lead to no new developments.

"We continue to follow all possibilities and leads," Geslison said. "We have a daughter, a sister, a friend that is missing. We have a community who cares. We want to find her."

Police refused to comment when asked if any vehicles had been seized during the investigation or if any seized vehicles had been tested for DNA. According to Argyle, police still have no confirmed suspects.

"I find everything interesting and will interview anyone," he said. Despite numerous interviews, Argyle said he "wouldn't use the word suspect" to describe any persons of interest that have been contacted.

Local authorities and volunteers on Thursday were also searching Rock and Slate Canyons, as well as Utah Lake and the Provo River Walkway.

"We've searched all the way to the Springville area with canines, county horse patrols, a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft." Provo Capt. David Bolda said. "We have people monitoring the river flow into Utah Lake as well as the shoreline."

Geslison said searchers are still optimistic and confident despite the duration and difficulty of the case.

"You would think people would be frustrated," he said, "but of all the people putting in countless hours, I haven't heard anyone discouraged at all."

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cleverley should contact the Provo Police Department at 852-6212.



Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Sep 2007