FBI joins hunt for former Mendocino girl missing in Reno

<p>The search for missing college student Brianna Denison continued Tuesday, with Reno police once again using search dogs to comb the neighborhood where the former Mendocino woman disappeared Sunday.</p><p>The search dogs were brought in at 4:30 p.m. in anticipation of snowstorms today that were expected to hinder the search, said Steve Frady, a spokesman for Reno police and fire departments. He said it was the second time dogs were used to search the area.</p><p>"Reno police officers continued to canvass the neighborhood, including passing out fliers and talking to neighbors in the area," Frady said.</p><p>He said the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has also joined the search effort by helping distribute fliers throughout California, to law enforcement agencies, news media and convenience stores. Security offices at Reno casinos have also posted fliers and information about the missing 19-year-old, he said.</p><p>Denison, who grew up in the town of Mendocino, was last seen about 4 a.m. Sunday when she went to sleep on her friend's couch after attending a rap 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 couch where she slept was next to an unlocked sliding glass door, police said.</p><p>Meanwhile, FBI agents officially joined the search Tuesday, meeting with the family of the missing teen, as news of her mysterious disappearance was carried by media to a national audience.</p><p>FBI agents had been in contact with Reno police officials since Sunday but now have opened their own criminal case and assigned an agent to work with the Reno Police Department. "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 Santa Barbara City College student.</p><p>"We hope we can find her quickly," Staretz 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 priority for them.</p><p>"They're taking Brianna's case ahead of others right now," Van Antwerp said. She said support for the family has been pouring in from all over the Reno community, as well as from Northern California.</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><p>Frady said a 24-hour tip line yielded information that was being checked by investigators.</p><p>He said police had located the driver of a sport utility vehicle who dropped off a friend of Denison at the house where the teen last seen. The man spoke with detectives at length and has been eliminated as a person of interest in the case, Frady said.</p><p>Anyone with information about the case can contact the 24-hour tip line at (775) 745-3521. Information can also be called into the Secret Witness Program at (775) 322-4900, or the Reno Police Department Detective Division at (775) 334-2115.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza 521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com.</p>