Chandler family hoping for answers in 2007 disappearance

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September 24, 2012

Chandler family hoping for answers in 2007 disappearance

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Mon Sep 24, 2012, 10:13 AM CDT

GREENVILLE — Family members of Lisa Chandler are still hoping to learn what happened to the Hunt County woman who disappeared without a trace five years ago.

“We will not give up looking for Lisa,” said Marie Johnson, Chandler’s mother. “I cannot have closure until I know where Lisa is. I will keep hoping until I draw my last breath.”

Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks recounted how the sheriff’s office responded to a missing person call at 5590 State Highway 34 on September 24, 2007.

“It was determined from the initial investigation that Lisa Chandler had spoken with her family via telephone the day before and everything seemed to be fine,” Meeks said. “However, when the family attempted to call her the next day they were unable to reach her. Lisa’s family drove to Hunt County from Louisiana and were unable to find her at home. What was most disturbing to the family was that Lisa’s vehicle was still in the driveway and her purse and keys were in the residence.”

Sheriff’s investigators began a missing person’s investigation and a search of the area, which included a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter, K9 units and the Hunt County Sheriff’s Posse.

“This search covered over 500 square acres with negative results,” Meeks said. “The initial investigator tracked Lisa’s financial reports, and other documentation that was available and was unable to locate Lisa.”

In November of 2011, Meeks classified the investigation as a “cold case” and assigned a specific investigator to this case.

“The investigator reviewed the case file and conducted interviews of persons of interest or persons that may have had knowledge of Lisa’s disappearance,” Meeks said. “This follow-up investigation has been extensive in nature. Investigators have gone twice to Louisiana to interview person or persons that were involved in Lisa’s life at the time of her disappearance.”

But no new evidence has been uncovered concerning Chandler’s disappearance.

“This case will never be closed until we find out what happened to Lisa Chandler,” Meeks said. “At this time we have no new leads. Somebody knows what happened to Lisa Chandler, and hopefully we will be able to find that somebody soon. We will not give up until we do.”

The Hunt County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information in regards to the disappearance of Lisa Chandler to contact Investigator Jeff Haines at 903-453-6809 or email jhaines@huntcounty.net or call the Hunt County Crimestoppers at 903-457-2929.