Le Family Releases Statement on Latest Search Efforts

On the heels of a to find missing San Mateo resident Michelle Le, family members have released a statement thanking volunteers for their physical and emotional support.

“As we cannot go into details about potential evidence and specific locations for now, we want to express how touched we are by the community. Thank you,” wrote Le’s cousin Krystine Dinh, who has acted as family spokesperson throughout the several-week ordeal.

Le, a 26-year-old nursing student, went missing May 27 after taking a break from her duties at Kaiser Medical Center in Hayward.

The following statement was issued by Son Le, Michelle Le’s father, on Sunday night:

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From Friday, June 17, 2011 to Sunday, June 19, 2011, Michelle’s family and friends met with community volunteers, KlaasKids Foundation representatives, Team Amber [DuBois], and G.I. Joe Search Foundation members to conduct three days of search parties.

The number of community volunteers was astounding and their commitment to finding Michelle touched us. We were honored to meet over 450 volunteers this weekend. Together, we’ve banded to organize over 40 search teams.

We want to publicly thank the following:

• KlaasKids Foundation Search Director Brad Dennis, who provided his professional search and rescue experience to adequately train and prepare volunteers.
• KlaasKids Foundation Founders Marc and Violet Klaas and their KlaasKids members for providing not only their emotional understanding and support, but also their organizational strategy and advice.
• Team Amber, also, for their emotional understanding, support, and leadership.
• The Hayward Police Department for guiding and assisting us throughout our search.
• The Buddhist Temple in Hayward for providing the community a central meeting hub.
• And finally, the public volunteers, most of whom have never met or known Michelle, but have found it in their hearts to reach out and help.

As a father who misses his daughter on Father’s Day, I want to personally thank everyone involved for the immense support that our family has received during this time. I want to also remind all the fathers in the world to please spend time with your children as often as possible – to always let them know you love them.

The search for Michelle isn’t over, as our family is working to plan additional search parties, fundraisers and awareness events for Michelle. There is an additional search party planned this weekend and in the near future. We’re staying strong and positive until we bring her home to us.

Thank you.