On Sunday, Jamie Runions and her friends took to the Martin City’s St. Patrick’s day parade not to ring in the Irish holiday, but to hand out fliers with Jessica Runion’s face and name on them.
“I think the more people that understand who she is get her picture out there somebody has got to something whether they know it or not,” said Jamie Runions.
Last Thursday marked six months since anyone has seen or heard from the missing 21-year-old girl. She was last seen leaving a party with Kylr Yust, who is behind bars on charges of burning Runion’s car.
Runion’s says the last six months have been rough. This last weekend was especially difficult for her with the discovery of Toni Anderson’s car in the Missouri River with a body inside. The missing UMKC student was last seen in January.
“Every time somebody is found it’s a relief but you are grieving with them because they’ve been through everything that you have been through,” said Runions.
Search crews have found two bodies in their time spent looking for Jessica, but still no sign of her. However, it is not stopping community members from pitching in to help.
Lynda Tucker became friends with Jamie Runions after Jessica disappeared. Tucker has a daughter and wanted to help in any way possible.
“It means a lot because we are getting out there, we are getting her name out there and we are showing people that we are not going to stop until we get answers,” said Tucker.
Even with the lack of clues leading to answers, Jamie Runions says she will never give up hope.
“We are going to keep going I mean we are not going to give up I will not give up on my daughter,” said Runions.
Kylr Yust is due in court in October on charges of burning Jessica’s car.
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com
