Missing woman's family on 'America’s Most Wanted'

By MEGAN MATTEUCCI mmatteucci@ajc.com

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The family of a missing Blairsville woman is trying to keep her photograph in the public eye, using national television appearances now that the police ground search has stopped.

Enlarge photo

Courtesy of the Cornwell family Kristi Cornwell

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The family of Kristi Cornwell will appear on Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted” Saturday night. The Cornwells pre-recorded the show in Blairsville, said Keith Hogsed, the woman’s cousin.

Police have been searching for Kristi Cornwell since Aug. 11 when she reportedly was abducted while walking near her parents’ Union County home.

Cornwell, 38, was talking on her cell phone to her boyfriend, Douglas Davis, when she was kidnapped, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

Davis, who was in Atlanta, told investigators Cornwell said a car was following her. He then heard a struggle and Cornwell say “don’t take me,” Davis said.

The GBI and local police searched the woods, waterways and neighborhoods surrounding the site of the abduction for eight days. They interviewed sex offenders in three states, but still have no suspects.

The only major piece of evidence has been Cornwell’s cell phone, which was found in a yard about 1.5 miles away from where she was last seen, the GBI spokesman John Bankhead said.

The GBI said they are continuing to work with Union County deputies and investigate all leads.

The family is asking the public to visit www.kristicornwell.com and print off the missing woman’s photograph. On Friday, the family updated the Web site to allow it to be accessed on mobile devices, Hogsed said.

After refusing comment for a week, Davis appeared on NBC’s “Today” on Thursday.

Cornwell’s family initially discouraged Davis from doing media interviews, saying they were concerned he would jeopardize the case.

“Our main concern has been he had material information with the phone call and we were concerned that would get out,” Hogsed said Friday.

However, Hogsed said the family is pleased that Davis refused to release those details in his interviews.

The GBI said they interviewed Davis and he is not a suspect.

Investigators are still trying to determine if Cornwell’s attack was random or if she was targeted. They are leaning toward the theory that whoever took Cornwell was from the area.

In addition to the Web site, the family is distributing fliers, key chains and bumper stickers with Cornwell’s photograph.

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