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Crime

Country Music Star's Cousin Abducted in Apparent Home Invasion

Apr 14, 2011 – 4:14 PM
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David Lohr

David Lohr Senior Crime Reporter

Authorities in west Tennessee are searching for the 20-year-old cousin of country star Whitney Duncan. The young nursing student was abducted from her home during an apparent home invasion, police said.

Holly Bobo was last seen Wednesday morning outside her one-story, ranch-style house in Darden, a small community about 100 miles northeast of Memphis. A neighbor called 911 when she heard a woman screaming shortly after 7:30 a.m. Bobo's 25-year-old brother, who was inside his sister's house at the time, also called 911.

According to police, Bobo's brother said he saw a man dressed in camouflage clothing drag his sister through the carport next to the home and into a wooded area behind it.

"We would never expect anything like that," Decatur County Sheriff Roy Wyatt told The Associated Press. "And I think that's why it is so devastating to all of us."

Authorities are investigating several scenarios, including whether Bobo was kidnapped during a home invasion and whether someone had been staking out her home prior to her kidnapping.

Wyatt said Bobo's brother is cooperating with the investigation. Asked by the AP how the family is coping, Wyatt replied, "Not good."

Bud Grimes, a spokesman for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told the AP that Bobo is studying to be a licensed practical nurse through the Tennessee Technology Center.

Bobo's mother is reportedly a school teacher and her father works for a tree trimming company. Her cousin, Whitney Duncan, posted the following message on her Facebook profile: "My cousin Holly was kidnapped this morning. Please pray for her & our family. This is really sad & shocking."

Late this afternoon, the performer posted an update asking people not to believe "all the speculation" in the case.

"We cannot give u details right now because we do not want to hinder the investigation. Please spread the amber alert & pray. That's all we can do," Duncan wrote, without elaborating.

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Local and state law enforcement authorities are coordinating a massive search effort behind Bobo's home today. Local media report that foot searchers and police dogs have been seen entering the woods and that a helicopter is flying overhead.

Neither the Decatur County Sheriff's Department nor the family of Bobo returned calls or emails from AOL News today requesting comments.

Bobo is described as a white female, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, 110 pounds, with blond hair. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt and light blue jeans. Bobo's abductor is described as 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and around 200 pounds. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the sheriff's department at 731-852-3703 or 731-852-3714.
Filed under: Nation, Crime
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