Person of interest in Vogel case

Albuquerque {KRQE} - Police in Hawaii have a zeroed in on a person of interest in the disappearance of Rio Rancho teacher Laura Vogel.

She vanished in Maui two months ago.

“We're not quitting, we're not giving up” Vogel’s mother Joan told News 13 Monday night.

Joan Vogel talked to her daughter Laura just hours before she vanished on February 21st.

“Her connection was very bad so it was one of those phone calls where, Laura, Laura, mom mom, can you hear me” Vogel said.

Laura was an avid outdoorswoman, and had decided to camp out in Maui, not knowing the spot turned into a homeless hangout at night.

She missed an appointment the next morning, worrying her friends. They went looking and found her van unlocked, with the key in the ignition. Her wallet and cell phone were gone. Searchers then found the broken back cover of her phone down on the beach.

“We've never stopped searching.” Joan Vogel then went on to say, “Off duty fireman who have volunteered to help, and off duty airman, and marines who have volunteered to help.”

While there are no signs of Laura, there has been progress in the investigation.

“There is a person of interest.” Vogel said. She said police believe Laura met that person the night she went missing, but that's all they're saying right now.

“It's frightening, absolutely frightening, my daughter was strong she was fit, she had to have been taken by surprise.”

While it's emotionally draining Joan Vogel said, “To fall apart would be of no use.”

She said her family has no choice but to stay strong, “I can't tell you how proud I am of my family. We need to have some resolution. We need to bring Laura home.”

The Vogel’s are offering a $10,000 reward for information on Laura. If you know anything here are numbers you can call:

• Maui Police at 808-244-6400 (Case #10-14126),
• Maui Crime Stoppers at 808-242-6966,
• Find Laura Vogel Private Tip Line at 1-888-524-0218.