Nearly 6 months after the death of Rhiannon Marie Young, the police investigation seemed to have stalled. Now Crime Stoppers of Great Bend-Barton County is trying something new — reaching out to the public with posts on social media.
“We may spread our horizon through social media,” Crime Stoppers secretary/treasurer JP Postlethwaite told the board of directors on Tuesday. The Great Bend Police Department and Barton County Sheriff’s Office have both posted items on their Facebook pages, in hopes of generating new leads, he said.
This was done at the request of Young’s uncle, Terry Buehne, in Arlington, Texas. But Postlethwaite said more Facebook posts may be added in the future.
However, it’s important that people with information actually pick up a telephone and call Crime Stoppers, he said. Posting information as a comment on the Facebook page is not anonymous, and information shared in this way is not eligible for a Crime Stoppers reward.
Crime Stoppers is already featured in Great Bend Tribune stories and on radio spots recorded by Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings. The social media offers another point of contact.
Here’s the information shared on to GBPD Facebook post:
“On Oct. 12, 2013, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Rhiannon Marie Young was found critically injured in a ditch just off the 2300 block of U.S. 281 Bypass, in Great Bend. Medical personal responded and transported her to the hospital. Rhiannon died of her injuries and we are looking for answers. We know she was at a party near this area and had been consuming alcohol. Also she was seen in a large white SUV earlier in the day, arguing with the father of one of her children. Law enforcement can not positively determine the circumstances surrounding her death. It was dark at the time of this incident and no one has any answers. She left five children behind.
“We are begging that one person, who may have seen something, would give law enforcement the lead they need to solve this case. Please, if you have any information, regardless of how small it seems, call Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous and collect a cash reward.
“Please call our toll free number, 1-888-305-1300 or 620-792-1300. Do not give your name or address. You will be assigned a number and you need to write it down to recheck on your information, through these telephone numbers, by giving your assigned number. You can qualify for a large cash reward and no one will ever know who you are. Please call and help solve this case. Someone passing through town on this day, not familiar with our town, may have seen something and thought it was not important. Any lead could possibly solve this case. PLEASE CALL 1-888-305-1300 or 620-792-1300.”