Brookhaven Police Chief Pap Henderson said the search formissing Brookhaven woman Virginia Ratliff is still in full swing,and that officials need the help of the public now as much asever.

“We’re asking everyone to continue to help,” he said. “We’reonly human, and we’re hoping there will be a break in this casesoon.”

Henderson said a lake along highway 51 was searched last week,but that Wildlife Game and Fisheries officials were unable to findanything in the water. He said the investigation continues not onlyin Lincoln County but in the surrounding areas as well.

“As far as the other counties go, we’re still asking them togive us any information they have on cars matching that tag numberor people matching Mrs. Ratliff’s description,” Henderson said.

Ratliff, described as a white woman about 5-foot-1 and weighing135 pounds, is believed to have been driving her white 1999 MercuryGrand Marquis bearing Lincoln County tag 987-LIH. There were alsoseveral magnetic ribbons on the back of the vehicle, which wasmissing a hubcap.

Henderson said the search has become a personal matter to himand his officers.

“I keep her tag number on my dashboard,” he said. “But I neverknew how many white Mercuries there are in Lincoln County beforenow.”

He said his officers had pointed out the same thing to him, andthe fact that they had realized that made him proud of the effortsof his force in trying to find the missing woman.

“Just knowing they’ve noticed that gives me a good feeling,knowing they’re doing their job and they haven’t given up lookingeither,” he said.

He said another source of great help and encouragement isRatliff’s own family. He said they have been extremely helpful inthe investigation.

“They’ve assisted us in so many ways, and we’re so grateful forthat,” he said. “We really want to thank them for their cooperationand all the things they’ve done for us.”

Henderson said while there is no sign of Ratliff, the good newsis that there is also still no sign of foul play.

“Anything is possible, and we’re looking at all angles, but atthis point there’s just no indication that there was any foul playinvolved in this disappearance,” he said.

With the help of surrounding cities and counties, as well asstate agencies such as Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau ofInvestigation, not to mention the public, Henderson said theinvestigation will remain top priority until there is a break inthe case.

“Until we announce something, until we’ve found her, we willstill continue to need everyone’s help,” he said. “If you knowanything, someone is here seven days a week, 24 hours a day, andyou can always call.”

Law enforcement officials have asked that if the public findsany sign of Ratliff, they notify the Brookhaven Police Departmentat (601)833-2424, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at (601)833-5231, or Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop M at (601)833-7811.