Police end search for Houser

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - Police in northeast Indiana have called off the three-week search for a missing Whitley County woman.

An extensive search covering the west side of the county, and part of Kosciusko and Allen Counties has not turned up the body of Debra Houser. Houser went missing on November 18th. Her ex-husband who was living with her in her Whitley County home is charged with her murder.

Detective Sergeant Chuck Vogley, with the Whitley County Sheriff's Department, says search teams from four different law enforcement agencies, as well as volunteers have looked everywhere they can think of and have scoured several areas more than once. Larwill Lake, in Whitley County, and Lake Everett in Allen County were likely spots that police searched several times.

"She may be well hidden eough that somebody has walked right by her," said Vogley on Tuesday.

Vogley said the sheriff's department would continue to take tips, and track them down, but as far as an organized search effort, the push has ended.

"I hope everybody doesn't forget about her and keeps looking for her," said Vogley.

Deb Houser leaves behind two grown children and a 9-year old son, as well as plenty of family members, and a community that will have to continue to wait for answers.

Vogley said Rod Houser has denied knowing anything about Debra Houser's disappearance. Rodney Houser has told police a confidential informant that supplied police with information about his involvement is lying. He's offered no explanation as to why Debra Houser's bloody clothes were found in a plastic bag that he threw out, according to Vogley.

Rodney Houser is awaiting his trial in the Whitley County jail. Vogley said Houser has no access to a television and spends most of his time reading his bible.