Fundraiser set for missing Blairsville mom

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The family of a missing Blairsville mom is trying to raise money to continue the search now that police help and media attention have decreased.

Kristi Cornwell has been missing since Aug. 11 when she was reportedly abducted while walking near her parents Union County home.

The only leads available are for a white SUV similar to a Suburban or a gold compact car such as a Nissan or Toyota, said Keith Hogsed, Cornwell’s cousin.

On Saturday, Bill’s Roller Rink in Blairsville will donate proceeds from skate rentals and concession stands to the Cornwell search fund, Hogsed said.

“If this continues much longer, we’re going to need money for the search,” Hogsed said Friday.

Local law enforcement and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation spent the first eight day searching the neighborhoods and woods surrounding the abduction site. They have since called off the ground search and scaled back the investigation to only looking into credible tips, Hogsed said.

Those leads have been few. Hogsed said he fears those leads will be even less as time goes on.

The search fund will pay for advertising, fliers, hiking equipment and other supplies, Hogsed said. The family has already raised $50,000 for a reward fund.

The Kristi Cornwell fundraising event runs from 4-9 p.m. at the roller rink at 7795 Blue Ridge Highway. The family is also selling T-shirts for the missing mom.

Cornwell’s boyfriend, Douglas Davis, told investigators he was talking to the woman on the cell phone on Aug. 11 when she complained a car was following her. Davis then heard a struggle and Cornwell say “don’t take me.”

Police found Cornwell’s cell phone, but no other signs of the missing woman.

Cornwell, 38, is a former probation officer and was going to school to be a medical lab technician.

Anyone with information about Cornwell may call the GBI at 1-800-597-8477.