Search for Wendy Gessing led to Indiana

The search for Wendy Gessing led Crest Hill police investigators to a Culver’s restaurant in South Bend, Indiana.

On Tuesday, Crest Hill Police Chief Ed Clark said their department received an unconfirmed tip that the 50-year-old missing woman might have been at a Culver’s restaurant in South Bend, the fourth-largest city in Indiana and the county seat of St. Joseph County.

Investigators went to the restaurant and reviewed video that showed a woman that could have been Gessing, but it was hard to tell, Clark said. He said the image was not good enough to identify her.

“We’re following every tip and lead we get,” Clark said.

On Friday, the South Bend Police Department posted a flyer about Gessing on their Twitter account and Facebook page, the latter of which received 517 shares as of Tuesday afternoon.

Christine Karsten, South Bend police spokeswoman, said the only information the department has on the case is what they posted on social media.

Gessing has been missing since June 12. She was last seen at her at her workplace, Pizza by Marchelloni at 1603 N. Raynor Ave. in Crest Hill, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Person System website.

A fellow employee said Gessing left in her Honda CRV about 4 p.m. that day and was might have been headed to Joliet.

Friends, family and supporters held a prayer vigil for Gessing on Sunday.

“In difficult times, I feel that the community should all come together and let it be known that we’re behind them,” said Jennifer Hrusosky, who helped organize the vigil. “She’s one of us.”

Investigators have found and analyzed Gessing’s cellphone, found her Honda CRV, examined her financial records, searched the residence of Gessing’s boyfriend and obtained his cellphone, Clark said. Gessing’s family and boyfriend have been cooperative throughout the investigation, he said.

Gessing is between 5-foot-5 inches and 5-foot-6 inches tall and weighs between 130 and 140 pounds. She has strawberry blonde hair, brown eyes and wears contact lenses.

Gessing has a sugar skull tattoo on her left forearm, flower tattoos on her left wrist and a Celtic cross on her right shoulder.

Gessing’s family has put up a $2,000 reward for any information leading to her safe return.

Anyone with information about Gessing is advised to call Crest Hill police at 815-741-5111. Anonymous tips can be left with Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734.