LV police trying to find woman missing nine days

Carol Holt just wants her mom back.

It's been more than a week since 81-year-old Opal Parsons mysteriously disappeared from her east valley home, the lights and a television left on behind her.

Las Vegas police finally got a break in the case, but it does not bode well for Parsons.

Investigators were able to identify the man who used Parsons' ATM cards at Sam's Town after she went missing. The man, whose name police did not release, said he found Parsons' purse in a trash bin, said detective Dan Holley with the missing persons detail.

"We believe some criminal act is afoot," Holley said.

A search warrant was conducted of the man's house Thursday. He was interviewed into the wee hours of the morning, but police found no evidence to link him to the actual disappearance of Parsons, Holley said.

He has not been charged and police did not disclose where he found the purse. Police would not say how much money was taken from Parsons' ATM account, but Holley did say he could be charged for using Parsons ATM cards at a later date.

Holley said it's been difficult to come up with a motive in the disappearance. Parsons is not wealthy. She lived on a small retirement fund and Social Security checks from month to month.

She was attractive, well liked and well known. She drove her friends around in her van and danced on Friday and Saturday nights. Parsons was involved in her church and did crossword puzzles daily.

Investigators do have other persons of interest in the case.

Holley said currently detectives are trying to identify a man who was known to Parsons in her social circles. He would not be more specific, only to say that Parsons had a friendly, platonic relationship with the man.

"Every day ... every hour it gets harder," Holt said, her words muffled as tears streamed down her face.

Holt and her brother, Terry Parsons, once again implored the public at a news conference Friday to help locate their mother.

"Tell us where mom is. Help us find our mom," Holt said.

Investigators do not believe Parsons left her home willingly. There were no signs of forced entry into her home, and police believe someone she knew or had reason to trust came to her door that morning.

Police have tried to rule out other possibilities, including Parsons walking away from her home, which was not part of her routine. She always drove her van, which was found parked perfectly in the driveway.

On Wednesday, police used two bloodhounds to try and pick up Parsons' scent just in case she had wondered from the home on foot, but to no avail.

Holt, who left for work about 5 a.m. Aug. 30, was the last person to see Parsons. Parsons was in her bed.

About 10:30 a.m., friends called wondering why she was late for a lunch date.

Holt came home from work at 2 p.m. and found the front door to their manufactured home open. The van and keys to the home were there.

Only Parsons and her purse was missing.

"We can't give up on Opal, because she wouldn't give up on us," Holley said.

A prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday in front of Parsons' home in the 100 block of Sir David Way, near Charleston and Nellis boulevards.

Anyone with information about Parsons' whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.