Army Corps seeks help in search for woman

Published 9:34 pm Friday, November 4, 2016

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is asking the public’s help in finding an employee who has been missing from the mat sinking unit quarters barge since Wednesday.

Larrielle Ross, 20, of Vicksburg, a food service worker, was last seen in the dining facility on the quarters barge about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. A press release from the Corps seeking help identified her as African-American, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 135 pounds.

The quarters barge is where workers on the mat sinking unit live and eat while working on the unit.

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Corps officials, the St. Charles Parish, La., sheriff’s deputies and the U.S. Coast Guard have been searching for her since she was reported missing from the barge, which is moored in the Mississippi River near Narco, La.

“Friday, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office used a K-9 to search the river bank with no results, “ said Greg Raimondo, Vicksburg District public information officer.

“Our survey boats went out and searched with sonar, but were unsuccessful. The Coast Guard made several flights over the river but found nothing. We have some survey boats from the (Corps) New Orleans District also helping.”

He said the quarters barge and several auxiliary barges with it were moved to help in the search.

“The crews on all of our boats with the mat sinking unit down river are on the lookout for anything as they go about their work with the unit,” he said.

“We have counselors here to talk with the employees and the family.”

Raimondo said the Corps has put its press release about Ross on the Internet, and with local media.

“We have put all the information out there, but so far, we haven’t had any luck,” he said.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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