Bollinger County search related to girl missing since 1989

Gina Dawn Brooks of Fredericktown disappeared in August 1989. Law enforcement officials recently searched a rural property in Bollinger County in connection with the case, but Sheriff Casey Graham said no human remains were found.

Southeast Missourian file

Law enforcement officials recently searched a rural Bollinger County property in connection with the case of a girl who disappeared in 1989.

A social media post from Bollinger County Sheriff Casey Graham says county authorities along with personnel with the state Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime, FBI, state attorney general’s office and Fredericktown Police Department searched property on Bollinger County Road 872.

The search relates to the August 1989 disappearance of Gina Dawn Brooks, who went missing in Fredericktown.

According to a 2013 Associated Press story, Brooks was 14 when she disappeared Aug. 5, 1989. She had been riding her bicycle near her home at about 10 p.m. A witness reported hearing a scream, and the girl’s bicycle was found in the street. Bryant Squires reportedly made a deathbed confession in 1996, indicating he and Nathan “Danny” Williams abducted and killed the girl. Williams was eventually charged with murder, but the charge was dropped because of a lack of evidence. Both men have since died.

The post says the search yielded items “of possible evidentiary value” that will be sent to the Highway Patrol’s crime lab for analysis.

“However, no human remains were located,” the post notes.

Graham said the investigation into Brooks’ disappearance is active and ongoing. He urged anyone with information about the case to contact the FBI at (800) CALL-FBI; Highway Patrol (573) 840-9500; Fredericktown Police Department (573) 783-3660; or submit tips through the FBI’s website at https://tips.fbi.gov.