FBI officials say Wyoming and Colorado abductions are not related

As an investigation continues today into the separate abductions of 2 young girls, officials say the incidents in Colorado and Wyoming are not related.

Monday, an 11 year old girl was abducted outside a recreation center in Cody, Wyoming.  An amber alert was issued and the girl was found within a couple of hours.

Just 3 days prior, 10 year old Jessica Ridgeway was reported missing in Colorado.  Law enforcement are actively searching for the girl, as an unidentified dismembered body was found in a nearby Colorado town Wednesday night.

Similarities in these 2 cases initially had officials investigating the possible connection.  Today, we talked to FBI spokesperson Dave Joly, who says he cannot release details into the investigations, but they now have reason to believe the 2 cases are not related.   

Wyoming law enforcement alerted officials in Montana, Idaho and Utah about the man suspected in the Cody abduction.

The suspect is a white male, 55-60 years old with strawberry blonde or white hair and a neatly trimmed mustache.  At the time of the abduction the suspect was wearing a brown shirt, blue jeans, and a tan baseball cap.

He is driving a white SUV with a mattress in the back.  Although the public should be aware of the suspect, Joly says there is no reason to believe he is in Montana.

Story by Jill Jagelski, Beartooth NBC.
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