But the intensive hunt turned up no sign of Gorham and no immediate breakthrough in the case. Searchers found some undisclosed items in the woods in the vicinity of Gorham's apartment, but officials downplayed their significance.
"We found evidence. They'll make assessments about what value they'll have in the investigation," said Lt. Pat Dorian of the Maine Warden Service. "Obviously, we did not find Kelly and that's what we were hoping for."
Gorham, a student at Southern Maine Community College, was last seen on the night of Aug. 7 at her apartment. She was reported missing when she didn't arrive at work at Maine Medical Center the next afternoon.
Her car was found at her apartment and her four dogs were inside, police said.
Gorham enjoyed the outdoors and sometimes hiked in the woods near her home. Volunteer search-and-rescue experts from around the state followed trails and searched roadsides in hopes of solving the mystery, or at least turning up new leads.
Maine State Police detectives also are continuing to talk to people who they believe may have information about the case, Dorian said. State police have conducted about 75 interviews and processed several cars in connection with the case.
"They're still working on different aspects of the investigation," Dorian said.
On Friday, Gorham's mother and authorities appealed for help, saying they believe someone knows where Gorham is but has yet to come forward. Gorham's mother and other family members checked in at the search command center throughout Saturday. She could not be reached for comment.
Nearly 40 members of the statewide search-and-rescue network took part in the search, including eight teams with trained search dogs. More than 20 police officers and game wardens also participated, including two more warden service teams with search dogs. A warden service team also searched from a small plane.
The searchers gathered at the command center on Route 4 at 7 a.m. and some were still walking the woods and looking for clues at 6 p.m. Wardens inside the York County Emergency Management Agency headquarters, where the search was based, kept track of the searchers throughout the day using digital maps and global positioning satellite equipment.
Authorities from the warden service and state police were discussing the search results late Saturday before deciding their next steps. Dorian said he expected a smaller-scale search, both from the air and on the ground, to continue today.
Staff Writer John Richardson can be contacted at 791-6324 or at:
jrichardson@pressherald.com
Reader comments
Click here to view or add comments on this story
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form