FBI joins search for missing woman

<p>FBI agents met Tuesday afternoon with the family of missing teen Brianna Denison, as news of the ex-Mendocino resident’s mysterious disappearance reached a national audience.</p><p>“The FBI is working with the Reno Police Department in more of a supportive role in this stage,” said David Staretz, the FBI’s legal counsel in Nevada.</p><p>Staretz, a spokesman for the bureau, said the FBI would make available to local authorities additional manpower and lab resources to enhance the search for the missing college student.</p><p>“We hope we can find her quickly,” said Staretz.</p><p>Denison, who grew up in the town of Mendocino, was last seen around 4 a.m. Sunday when she went to sleep on her friend’s couch after attending a concert.</p><p>Reno police said stains thought to be blood were left on a pillow she was using, and that her purse, cell phone and clothing were all left at the home undisturbed.</p><p>The home’s front door had been left unlocked overnight, police said.</p><p>Staretz said he would not discuss details about the investigation, such as whether the FBI was the agency conducting DNA testing on the pillow stain.</p><p>“If need be, since we are working this case jointly, if they (Reno police) make that request we’ll make that available,” he said.</p><p>Valarie Van Antwerp, a close friend of the family who has known Denison since she was in preschool, said FBI agents have assured the family that the young woman’s disappearance has become a major priority.</p><p>“They’re taking Brianna’s case ahead of others right now,” said Van Antwerp.</p><p>She said support for the family has been pouring in from all over the Reno community, as well as from Northern California. She said news of Brianna’s disappearance has quickly become national news, making it much easier to get people to cooperate in the search.</p><p>“Everyone we call to find out if we can put up posters says they’ve already got them up,” she said. “That’s what needs to happen so that if anybody recognizes Brianna, they can report it.”</p>