Deputies expand search for missing 25-year-old woman

Jordan Cooper last seen Saturday in Keystone Heights

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. – Clay County deputies and members from nearby agencies ramped up the search Thursday for a missing woman who was last seen Saturday in the Keystone Heights area.

Deputies said "an extensive search" is underway for 25-year-old Jordan Cooper. Their search expanded at 9 a.m. Thursday to Little Rain Lake Park, where a mobile command center was set up for the effort.

Cooper's family members said they are praying for her safe return home. Her aunt, Dolly Cooper, said she's never been more worried.

"I want her to know that we love her. We're worried. We're not going to stop looking for her," she said. "Just give us a call, make contact, get ahold of anyone she can. We're very concerned."

Investigators believe Cooper was near the park before she disappeared. 

The Sheriff's Office said it has air support flying over the area, investigative K-9 teams on the ground and dozens of deputies searching. They ask residents to use caution and show respect when they're in the area.

"Who knows what could have happened out there if she did wander off," Clay County Sgt. Keith Smith said. "So we just want to make sure that we do everything we need to do to find her and bring her home safe."

Family and friends were passing out flyers to help find Cooper, who disappeared 2 miles from the street where she lives.

“I went and had some copies made. Her grandmother is one of my best friends, so my heart broke,” Bee Easterling said. “I been sending them to Jacksonville, Gainesville, handing them out at buildings and all, and maybe somebody will see it.”

Easterling said Cooper's family is very worried.

Deputies said she "rarely left her home," and Cooper's cousin, Michael Perry, said she would never take off without telling someone.

"This is a case where this is not just someone who left. This is not somebody who just wanted to leave. This is not just someone that wanted to run away," Perry said. "She may have left willingly, but I can tell you, within a short period of time, realizing she wasn't going to come back home, she was ready to come back home."

Perry described his cousin as a loving and caring woman who keeps to herself.

"Never really been for crowds, never really been for people, which is, once again, why this is out of the normal," Perry said. "It's not anything like her."

Family members hope Cooper will call them to let them know she's OK.

"If she left on her own, if she left on our her own accord, whatever reason she has for leaving, she's not in trouble. We're not angry," Dolly Cooper said. "We just want some form of contact."

Deputies said members of the community can help by sharing Cooper's picture with the hashtag #FindJordan and advising anyone who has seen her to contact Clay County Detective Wes Smith immediately at 904-213-6671 or email bsmith@claysheriff.com.

Anyone who sees her can also call the Sheriff's Office at 904-264-6512.


About the Authors

Veteran journalist and Emmy Award winning anchor

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.

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