Sept. 11 update regarding Anna Marie Smith
Police continue the search for Anna Marie Smith, the Appalachian State University student who was reported missing by her roommate on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating jointly with University Police, and they are using every reasonable available measure, including interviews, forensic examination of records, surveillance video analysis, and location searches, to attempt to locate Anna Smith.
As part of the initial investigation following her disappearance, University Police learned Sept. 3 of a possible off-campus assault. During the course of the investigation, no evidence was found to suggest a sexual assault had occurred.
Investigators identified and interviewed a number of people who had contact with her and who might have information about her whereabouts and any related circumstances. Those interviews produced no conclusive information regarding an assault. Conversations with Anna Smith or other concrete information would be necessary in order to move forward with investigating a possible assault.
In addition, there have been conflicting reports about items Smith may have had in her possession in Boone at the time of her disappearance from campus. Her cell phone and laptop were in the family’s possession. Subsequently the family provided them to University Police, and the items have undergone thorough forensic investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation.
Appalachian is committed to the safe return of Anna Smith, and the university has received countless hours of investigation support from local, regional, state and federal agencies.
University Police continue to ask anyone with information that could assist in the search for Anna Smith to call 828-262-2150 or submit an anonymous report at http://police.appstate.edu/crime-tip-submission-form.