Family Of Missing Vet Holds Vigil, Pauses Search Efforts

ZION, IL — The family of Army veteran Cory Rhinehart, who has been missing since Friday, held a vigil for him after hearing the investigation had new developments. The family held the vigil after police suggested they postpone the search for now, according to a report.

Rhinehart's family and friends have been searching for him feverishly, on coastlines and in woods and up into Wisconsin. A WGN-TV report says police told Deidra Collins, a family friend, that their search had the potential to hinder the police investigation and asked them to stop, or scale back, their efforts.

On Friday, Rhinehart didn't show up for work at his job as a dietary aid at a nursing home, which his family said is unusual. Later that night, police got a call that was hung up immediately.

See more on Patch: Family, Zion Police Seek Missing And Endangered Army Vet

Police traced the call and went to an apartment in the 2100 block of Gabriel Avenue to investigate. The apartment is a few blocks away from where Rhinehart lives with his twin sister, Ashley.

There, they found human blood on the door, walls and floor, WGN-TV reports. Rhinehart's family said they know who lives in the apartment, but not well.

The blood has since been sent to a crime lab for testing, and the police chief asked them to expedite the process, WGN-TV reported.

"They’re working tirelessly, and they’re hoping to get it right and give us some answers," Melvin Holmes, Rhinehart's father, said, according to FOX32.

While family members have suspended their search efforts, they remain hopeful. Anybody with information on Rhinehart is asked to call Zion police at 847-872-8000.