Heather Dialian Hodges - Case of missing Rocky Mount mother considered ‘highly suspicious’ by authorities/Evidence found of ‘violent event’ that preceded Heather Hodges’ disappearance/Elevated to criminal investigation. Police have Person of Interest.

Case of missing Rocky Mount mother considered ‘highly suspicious’ by authorities
By Amy Matzke-Fawcett | The Roanoke Times


Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Heather Dialian Hodges, 22, has been missing for more than a week.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for leads in the case of a missing Rocky Mount mother.

“It’s highly suspicious and we are following up on every lead that comes in,” said Capt. Harry Clingenpeel of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Heather Dialian Hodges, 22, has been missing for more than a week. According to the sheriff’s office, her boyfriend, Paul R. Jordan II, 39, last saw her at approximately 10:30 p.m. April 9. He told police that he left the residence they shared in Franklin County for approximately 10 minutes and she was not there when he returned.

Helicopter and ground searches have been used, and the Franklin County Swift Water Rescue team has searched the Blackwater River, Clingenpeel said.

It is extremely unusual that she has not called to check in on her 2-year-old daughter, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 540-483-3000.

Franklin County officials seeking fresh clues about Heather Hodges
Heather Hodges' family says the missing woman has never gone so long without contacting someone.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The two-week absence of a missing Franklin County woman is unprecedented, her family and law enforcement officials said.

Heather Hodges, 22, of Rocky Mount was last seen April 9. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Hodges family held a news conference Monday asking the public to come forward with tips by calling 483-3000.

Family and friends have not heard from her during that period, which is unusual, said Crystal Hodges, her sister.

"We are extremely worried about her well-being and safety," Hodges said. "Heather has never been gone for this long without contacting family or friends."

All of the tips of sightings of Heather Hodges were from people who reported seeing her before April 11, Sheriff Bill Overton said Monday.

According to the sheriff's office, Heather Hodges' boyfriend, Paul Jordan, 39, last saw her about 10:30 p.m. April 9. He told police that he left the residence they shared in Rocky Mount for about 10 minutes and that she was not there when he returned. Family members told police they last saw her about 6:30 that morning when her sister dropped her off at home.

Crystal Hodges described her sister as a dedicated mother to her 2-year-old daughter, with an "energetic and bubbly personality."

"Heather, we love you and we want you home as soon as possible," Hodges said.

There have been dozens of leads, and police dogs, helicopters and the Search Water Rescue Team has combed the Blackwater River.

"No tip or possible sighting is too small for us to follow up on," said Lt. Todd Maxey of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

Hodges' "abrupt leaving" is a cause for concern, Overton said.

"Certainly Heather has left in the past, but certainly not for this length of time, and even during those times when she left the immediate area, she did keep in contact with her family or those watching over her daughter," Overton said.

This is not a criminal investigation, but a missing person investigation, Overton said.

Hodges' criminal history is not being considered as a factor in the disappearance, Maxey said.

"I'm trying to find her, not prosecute her," Maxey said.

According to court records, Hodges was found guilty of felony grand larceny in May 2008 and sentenced to three years in prison, with all but six months suspended.

When she was released from custody that October, Hodges was given conditional probation given that she move to Nebraska to live with her mother, Paula Hodges. But she did not report to the probation office or her mother's and had no verbal communication, records stated. So a judge sentenced her to 90 days in jail in January 2009.

She was released from probation for good behavior in June 2010, court records stated.

And on April 5, a warrant was filed in Franklin County General District Court by Paula Hodges against Jordan, claiming assault and battery. But the sheriff's office and family say that case is unrelated to Heather Hodges' disappearance. ????

"We're not investigating that as part of the missing persons report," Maxey said.

The warrant states that when Paula Hodges went to her daughter's home on April 5, she and Jordan began arguing and he hit Paula Hodges with chairs and a metal object and went after her with a baseball bat. The warrant states that Paula Hodges ran to the bathroom, then out of the house. Surely this violent behavior toward her mother would make him a POI...

Jordan was charged with misdemeanor assault stemming from the incident and is due in court in May, according to court records.

Heather Hodges is white with blond hair and blue eyes, is 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 100 pounds, the sheriff's office said.

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WTH? I can't believe LE would make a statement like that when Jordan has a violent crime pending against him.

Police ask public for help in missing woman case

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
By K.A. WAGONER - Staff Writer

Investigators are asking for the public's help in finding Heather Hodges of Rocky Mount who has been missing for two weeks.

"No tip is too small," said Lt. Todd Maxey with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

At a press conference Monday afternoon in Rocky Mount, Crystal Hodges called her sister a dedicated mother to her 2-year-old daughter.

"That's why it is so unusual for her not to contact her family or the person keeping her daughter," Crystal Hodges said.

No one has been in contact with Heather Hodges since she was last seen by her boyfriend, Paul R. Jordan II, at the house they share on Shady Lane in Rocky Mount about 10:30 p.m. on April 9, according to Sheriff Bill Overton. Jordan reported Heather Hodges missing.

Jordan, 39, told investigators that he left the house for about 10 minutes and was unable to locate Hodges when he returned.

Overton said investigators are still in contact with Jordan and that he has been cooperative. Jordan is the only witness who saw Heather Hodges that evening, the sheriff added.

Heather Hodges did not take any of her personal belongings with her, and her vehicle is not missing, Overton said. Heather Hodges has left home in the past but not for this long and not without contacting family members, he added.

The case is being investigated as a missing person at this point, Overton said, because no evidence has been found of a crime.

"We are concerned about the unusual circumstances surrounding her disappearance," Overton said, "with her leaving so abruptly and not contacting her family."
Since Heather Hodges was reported missing, investigators have searched for her using tracking dogs and a state police helicopter. They have conducted numerous interviews with family and friends and have followed up on dozens of leads, Maxey said. The Franklin County Swift Water Rescue Team has also searched for clues along the Blackwater River.
Her sister appealed to the public during the press conference.

"Please help bring my baby sister home," Crystal Hodges said.
"I love you, Heather, and I want you home as soon as possible," she added.

Heather Hodges has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 100 pounds.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff's office at 483-3000 or the anonymous crimeline at 483-6620.

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Heather Hodges Missing: Young Mother Vanished Without A Trace
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Posted: 05/14/2012 1:06 pm Updated: 05/14/2012 1:12 pm

Concern is growing for a 22-year-old mother of one who has been missing for five weeks in Virginia.

Heather Hodges was last seen on April 9 by her boyfriend, 39-year-old Paul Jordan. Jordan told police he had left the couple's Franklin County home at about 10:30 p.m. that night to get Hodges a late-night snack at a Dairy Queen in nearby Wirtz. Jordan told police he was gone for approximately 10 minutes and, when he returned, his girlfriend was gone.

According to Lt. Todd Maxey, of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, Hodges left behind her 2-year-old daughter and her personal possessions, including her car, purse and cellphone.

Hodges' sister, Crystal Hodges, told police she saw her sister on the morning of April 9, when she dropped her off at the residence she shared with Jordan. Heather Hodges and Jordan had been having relationship problems and she had been staying with her family members during Easter. Crystal Hodges said she was supposed to pick her sister up later that day, but when she called to make arrangements, Jordan told her that her sister was sleeping.

Franklin County General District Court records show that a warrant was filed against Jordan on April 5 by Hodges' mother, Paula Hodges. The warrant is for assault and battery. In it, Hodges claims she got into an argument with Jordan and he hit her with chairs and a metal object. He also allegedly chased her off with a baseball bat. Jordan was subsequently charged with misdemeanor assault. He is scheduled to appear in court later this month to face the charge.

Maxey acknowledged the charges against Jordan but said police do not believe they are connected to Heather Hodges' disappearance.

"He is cooperating with the investigation," Maxey told The Huffington Post.

The veteran law enforcement officer also said authorities have no evidence of foul play in Hodges' disappearance.

"At this time, she is just missing. We don't have a crime," he said.

Not everyone, however, is convinced. During a recent press conference, Crystal Hodges said her sister was a dedicated mother and would not take off without notifying someone.

"That's why it is so unusual for her not to contact her family or the person keeping her daughter," Crystal Hodges said.

Authorities have conducted several searches for Hodges using tracking dogs, helicopters and a search and rescue team, but they have yet to find any sign of her.

"Heather, we love you and we want you home as soon as possible," said Crystal Hodges.

A Facebook group called "Find Heather Hodges" has been set up in an attempt to raise awareness about the missing mother. Downloadable flyers and other pertinent information are available on the page.

Heather Hodges is described as a white female with blond hair and blue eyes. She is approximately 5-foot-1-inch tall and weighs about 100 pounds.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office Police is appealing for anyone who may have information relating to the case to contact them at 540-483-3000.

"We are actively investigating the case to try to bring the mother home to her child," Maxey said.

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Young mother missing from Va. for more than a month
May 22, 2012 -- 2:00 AM

Authorities are looking for a young mother who has been missing from Virginia for more than a month.

Heather Hodges, 22, was last seen at her Rocky Mount home on April 9, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Her boyfriend briefly left the residence at about 10:30 p.m., and when he returned, Hodges was gone, the sheriff's office said.

Relatives say it is extremely unusual for Hodges, who has a 2-year-old daughter, to be out of touch with family members for an extended period of time, authorities said.

Officials have said Hodges has left the Franklin County area in the past but never for this long or without contacting her family while away.

"We just need her home," her sister, Crystal Hodges, told WSLS, Roanoke's NBC affiliate station this week. "We just need some closure. We just need to know where she is."

The sheriff's office said investigators have used helicopter units, tracking dogs and water rescue teams in the search for Hodges.

She is described as a white woman with long strawberry-blond hair and blue eyes, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. She is 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 100 pounds. Hodges has a tattoo that says "TINK" on her lower back. Anyone with information about her disappearance is asked to call the sheriff's office at 540-483-3000.

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By: ERIN BARNETT | WSLS
Published: June 18, 2012

FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA --
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office tells 10 On Your Side they will release new information about the Heather Hodges missing person case.

Hodges, 22, of Rocky Mount, went missing in early April. Since then, investigators have conducted numerous searches for Hodges.

Ten On Your Side spoke with Hodges' family in May. Her sister Crystal Hodges told us it was unlike Heather to just disappear and not have any contact with her family.

The news conference is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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Evidence found of ‘violent event’ that preceded Heather Hodges’ disappearance
Monday, June 18, 2012

By K.A. WAGONER - Staff Writer

The search for Heather Hodges, the Rocky Mount mother who has been missing since April 9, has been elevated to a criminal investigation, according to Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton.

"We have found forensic evidence that Heather Hodges' disappearance was preceded by a violent event," said Lt. Todd Maxey at a press conference Monday morning. "We do have a person of interest in the case."

Maxey declined to identify the person of interest or provide details about the evidence and a search warrant that was executed in connection with the case. The search warrant has been sealed by the court.

Overton said the person of interest appeared to be cooperative in the beginning of the investigation but has now given several different accounts of circumstances surrounding Hodges' disappearance.
"We are concerned that this individual's stories keep changing," Overton said.

The sheriff's office wants to keep the public informed, Overton said, but does not want to jeopardize a possible criminal prosecution.

During the press conference Monday, Overton said he also wanted to dispel rumors that have been circulating on social media websites.

"We do not know whether Heather Hodges is alive or deceased," he said. "We have not found a body."
"This has been a frustrating case," Overton added. "We had hoped to have found Heather Hodges by now."

Now 66 days into the investigation, Maxey said investigators have been treating the case as a major crime since the beginning, even though it was classified as a missing person.

"We didn't want to miss anything," Maxey said.

"We are still hoping to bring Heather home to her family, but after 66 days, the outlook is getting grim," Maxey added.

No one has been in contact with Heather Hodges since she was last seen by her boyfriend, Paul R. Jordan II, at the house they share on Shady Lane in Rocky Mount about 10:30 p.m. on April 9, according to Overton. Jordan reported Heather Hodges missing.

Jordan, 39, told investigators that he left the house for about 10 minutes and was unable to locate Hodges when he returned.

Heather Hodges did not take any of her personal belongings with her, and her vehicle is not missing, Overton said. Heather Hodges has left home in the past but not for this long and not without contacting family members, he added.

Heather Hodges has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 100 pounds.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff's office at 483-3000 or the anonymous crimeline at 483-6620.

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Gee, wonder who the POI could possibly be?

Wow...I am on a roll today! Here's the link I actually meant to post.
Sheesh.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
By K.A. WAGONER - Staff Writer

Tuesday, Oct. 9, marked the 6-month anniversary of the disappearance of Heather Hodges as the Franklin County Sheriff's Office continues its criminal investigation.

"We want to use this anniversary date to remind the public that this young mother is still missing," said Lt. Todd Maxey. "We are asking anyone with possible information related to this case to contact the sheriff's office. Please do not consider any piece of information too small or insignificant."

Heather Hodges was last seen at her Rocky Mount residence on April 9 by her sister, Crystal Hodges, and her boyfriend, Paul "Scooter" Jordan II.

Jordan, 39, reported Heather Hodges, 21, missing on April 11, Maxey said.

Investigators elevated the missing persons case to a criminal investigation in June, as evidence was found that a "violent event" preceded her disappearance.

"We have found forensic evidence that Heather Hodges' disappearance was preceded by a violent event," Maxey said at a press conference in June. "We do have a person of interest in the case."
Maxey has declined to identify the person of interest or provide details about the evidence collected during the execution of a search warrant in June. The search warrant was sealed by the court.

No one has been in contact with Heather Hodges since she was last seen by Jordan at the house they shared on Shady Lane in Rocky Mount about 10:30 p.m. on April 9. Jordan told investigators that he left the house for about 10 minutes and was unable to locate Hodges when he returned.

Hodges did not take any of her personal belongings with her and her vehicle is not missing, Maxey said. Hodges has left home in the past but not for this long and not without contacting family members, he added.

Hodges has a 2-year-old daughter.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 483-3000 or the anonymous crimeline at 483-6620.

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By Erin Barnett, Reporter - email

Donate to Heather Hodges Reward Fund
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ROCKY MOUNT, VA -
It has been nearly a year since young mother, Heather Hodges, was reported missing from her Rocky Mount home.

While the investigation continues, a Rocky Mount woman is working with the community to establish a reward fund for the case.

Cheryl Pagans has been working with the community to raise money for the fund, which so far adds up to more than $400.

"I feel with reward money, it may make somebody talk, that may know something," said Pagans.

Pagans is selling t-shirts to raise money, she has also held a yard sale and is working on a community event.

"All my efforts are geared towards her daughter having closure and her family having closure," said Pagans.

The event will be held April 6, the week of the one year anniversary of Hodges appearance. It will be held at 145 Gap Gate Road, in Callaway, starting at 3 p.m. There will be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, games and activities for adults and kids.

A website has also been set up to raise money for the fund. Pagans said her goal is to raise at least $1,000 by the one year anniversary.

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This poor family. Gee, I hope they can raise MORE than a grand!!!

Hodges case investigation continues

Heather Hodges
Friday, April 5, 2013

By STACEY HAIRSTON - Staff Writer

The investigation into the case of Heather Hodges is continuing as the one-year anniversary of her disappearance nears.

Hodges was last seen at her Rocky Mount residence on April 9, 2012 at 10:30 p.m. by her sister and her boyfriend, Paul "Scooter" Jordan II.

Jordan reported Hodges missing on April 11, according to Lt. Todd Maxey with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators elevated the missing persons case to a criminal investigation in June 2012, as evidence was found that a "violent event" preceded her disappearance.
No one has been in contact with Hodges since she was last seen by Jordan at the house they shared on Shady Lane in Rocky Mount.

Jordan told investigators that he left the house for about 10 minutes and was unable to locate Hodges when he returned.

Hodges, 22, did not take any of her personal belongings with her and her vehicle was not missing, Maxey said. Hodges has left home in the past but not for this long and not without contacting family members, he added.
Hodges has a 3-year-old daughter.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 483-3000 or the anonymous crimeline at 483-6620.

"While our main goal is to bring Heather home, we also want to keep her case on everyone's minds," said her sister, Crystal Hodges. "She is a mother, sister, niece, daughter, cousin and friend. She deserves to be accounted for and we will never give up until my baby sister is home."

A fundraising event has been planned to raise reward money and for Hodges' daughter.

The fundraiser will take place Saturday, April 6 at 3 p.m. at 145 Gap Gate Road in Callaway.

It will include door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, cornhole and a fishing activity for children.

There will also be a bonfire and smores, as well as other food.

A change jar will be available for donations.

"This will be a day to celebrate Heather, so please bring your stories of her to share," said Crystal Hodges, Heather's sister.

The event will close with a special tribute to Heather.
Proceeds from this event will go towards a reward fund for information leading to Heather's location.

"In the event the reward money is not claimed, it will go to Heather's daughter," said Crystal.

A rain date for the fundraising event is set for Saturday, April 13.

For more information, visit justiceforheatherhodges on facebook.

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I sure hope LE is looking at that bf real good. Another two year old w/o a Mother. When is it going to end. Rhetorical.

Missing Heather Hodges family & friends speak out

Posted: Jan 20, 2014 6:53 PM EST
Updated: Feb 10, 2014 6:53 PM EST
By Katie Love, Reporter - email

Close family friends came together in Rocky Mount to remind the community about missing mother Heather Hodges.

Friends like Wendy Nichols and Cheryl Pagans are worried Heather's case is taking a back seat because of her troubled past that included drug abuse.

They set up events across Franklin County hoping to find their friend. The 'Help Save The Next Girl Campaign,' also campaign out to today's event to show support.

However, the feeling at this campaign is a little different. Sometimes when Nichols and Pagans try to hand out fliers people refuse them and say they don't want anything to do with Heather's troubled past. How cold!!

"They talk about her being a drug addict, but every life is important. Everyone deserves to be found," friend Wendy Nichols says.

"She had a hard life. She was in a home where there was drugs and abuse and she survived that," family friend Cheryl Pagans says.

Heather's mother Paula says she's grateful to have people like Nichols and Pagans raising awareness about her daughter's disappearance.

"I know Heather's not the only girl in the United States that's missing, but she is a Franklin County girl and she's my daughter and I want her home," mother Paula Hodges says.

Paula says she feels like she hears little from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office about her daughters case.

"I hardly every talk to them because every time I call up there I get no answers," Hodges says. "It's very, very frustrating as a mother. I just want my baby back.

We reached out to the sheriff's office about her family's concerns.

"Any missing person, we get a lot of calls, and a lot of the calls unfortunately are leading down the wrong path," Captain Paul Caldwell says. "So we don't notify the family with every call we get, unless there' something we think is valid."

Major Paul Caldwell says Heather's case has never stopped being a top priority for the sheriff's office. He says they are even following up on new leads just discovered within recent weeks.

Tips friends and family hope will prove to be successful as they promise to never stop looking for Heather.

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Have to wonder whatever happened to the "Person of Interest".

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Boyfriend's facebook page.

POSTED: 08:00 PM EDT May 31, 2014    UPDATED: 07:14 PM EDT Jun 01, 2014