Seventeen years after a Killawog woman went missing, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and family members are asking the public for information regarding her disappearance. The family is offering a $20,000 reward for any tips and information that can lead to the whereabouts of Bethanie L. Dougherty.
A press conference was held Monday morning to inform the community that the case is still open and tips can be shared with the sheriff’s office.
“In a perfect and fair world we wouldn’t be here discussing this case, Bethanie would be here with her family,” Broome County Undersheriff Sam Davis said Monday, adding deputies continue to work to bring “justice, fairness and safety and peace of mind to the people that they serve and are here to protect.”
Bethanie L. Dougherty, a 40-year-old mother of three and one of six siblings, was last seen on April 1, 2008 around 10 p.m. near Jennings Creek Road in Killawog. The next day, her family discovered Dougherty was not home even though her keys, cell phone and purse were there, and they reported her missing.
A mid-to-late-1990s Chevy S-10 style pickup truck was seen in the area during the time of Dougherty’s disappearance.
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Dougherty’s brother John Curtis shared the emotional strain the case has taken on his family and thanked the Broome County Sheriff’s Office for “keeping this investigation open and active.”
“It’s been one of the hardest things that any one of our family members have had to deal with,” Curtis said.
A candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday evening for Dougherty.
“Someone knows something,” Curtis said, “and I know they do and I just wish they would please come forward.” Curtis invited anyone with information to reach out to him on Facebook.
17th anniversary candlelight vigil for Bethanie Dougherty
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1.
Where: Killawog Fire Department, 602 Jennings Creek Road, Killawog.
Submit a tip: Any information and tips can be shared by calling the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 607-778-1196 or visiting broomecountyny.gov/sheriff/crime-info-tips.
Kalyn Grant reports on public service issues for the Press & Sun-Bulletin, focusing on schools and community impact. Have a story to share? Follow her on Instagram @KalynCarmen and on Facebook under Kalyn Kearney. Get in touch at kcgrant@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Bethanie Dougherty went missing 17 years ago in Broome County: What to know
Reporting by Kalyn Grant, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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