Search for missing Auburn woman intensifies

CHAMBERS COUNTY, Al.

Cherri Dawson

The search for a missing Auburn woman ramped up Tuesday as detectives from the Auburn Police Division, Opelika Police Department, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office and at least seven other law enforcement agencies scoured an estimated five-mile area along Chambers County Road 95 where Cherri N. Dawson’s burned out 1993 Honda Civic was found more than two weeks ago.

Dawson, 31, of Auburn, was last seen on Saturday, Oct. 8, at her grandmother’s Auburn home, according to APD Chief Tommy Dawson.

Chief Dawson and nearly 100 officers were back out in the heavily wooded area just off Highway 431 searching for evidence in the case.

“This is the last place we know her vehicle to have been at, so this is the point where we decided to start our search,” Chief Dawson said. Officers had searched the area as recently as this weekend, Chief Dawson said.

“We want to send our thoughts and prayers out to her (Cherri Dawson’s) family,” Chief Dawson said. “We know she’s still missing and we still hope that we can find her alive. If she’s not, we want to bring closure to the family.”

In addition to officers searching on the ground with dogs, a helicopter was used the search by air Tuesday.

Cherri Dawson was at least five months pregnant at the time of her disappearance, said Chief Dawson, who declined to disclose whether or not they had spoken with the father of the child.

Cherri Dawson is described as a black female, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with dark hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Dawson is asked to contact the Auburn Police Division at 334-501-3140 or anonymously by voice or text on the tip line at 334- 246-1391.