04-07-2011, 07:55 PM
ABC7 Denver
Police say the case is not a typical missing person investigation but has the hallmarks of an abduction. Officials from the Denver Police Department have called in the FBI and Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help in the investigation, an indication that they do not believe Monge simply ran away.
"We get lots of missing cases," said Denver Police spokesman Lt. Matthew Murray. "No one thinks this girl ran away. We have reason to believe that what took place is not good. We are very concerned."
"This," he added, "is a nightmare scenario."
DENVER -- As Denver police expand the investigation into 19-year-old Kenia Monge's disappearance, more information is coming out about what may have happened that night.
"It's a nightmare," said Lt. Matt Murray, about what the family is going through, not knowing what's happened to Monge. "Some of the facts of the case got our attention right away, and we began putting resources into it, and as we began following leads we became more concerned."
The case is serious enough, he said, that investigators have brought in outside help.
The National Center For Missing And Exploited Children and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force are assisting the investigation, said Murray.
It's been almost a week since the 4-foot-11, 90-pound teenager disappeared from a downtown Denver nightclub, leaving behind her purse, cellphone and car keys.
Earlier this week, Monge's stepfather told 7NEWS a "Good Samaritan" had come forward saying he picked up Monge near the club the night she disappeared.
"He told her he lived not far from her, so he would take her home," said Tony Lee, Monge's stepfather.
Lee said the person claimed to have dropped off Kenia with another man at the Conoco where police said she was last seen.
But Murray would not confirm that story or any details of the investigation.
He said police have interviewed numerous witnesses, but they are asking anyone with information on the case to come forward.
Through Crimestoppers, they can remain anonymous, and there is a reward.
Police say the case is not a typical missing person investigation but has the hallmarks of an abduction. Officials from the Denver Police Department have called in the FBI and Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help in the investigation, an indication that they do not believe Monge simply ran away.
"We get lots of missing cases," said Denver Police spokesman Lt. Matthew Murray. "No one thinks this girl ran away. We have reason to believe that what took place is not good. We are very concerned."
"This," he added, "is a nightmare scenario."
DENVER -- As Denver police expand the investigation into 19-year-old Kenia Monge's disappearance, more information is coming out about what may have happened that night.
"It's a nightmare," said Lt. Matt Murray, about what the family is going through, not knowing what's happened to Monge. "Some of the facts of the case got our attention right away, and we began putting resources into it, and as we began following leads we became more concerned."
The case is serious enough, he said, that investigators have brought in outside help.
The National Center For Missing And Exploited Children and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force are assisting the investigation, said Murray.
It's been almost a week since the 4-foot-11, 90-pound teenager disappeared from a downtown Denver nightclub, leaving behind her purse, cellphone and car keys.
Earlier this week, Monge's stepfather told 7NEWS a "Good Samaritan" had come forward saying he picked up Monge near the club the night she disappeared.
"He told her he lived not far from her, so he would take her home," said Tony Lee, Monge's stepfather.
Lee said the person claimed to have dropped off Kenia with another man at the Conoco where police said she was last seen.
But Murray would not confirm that story or any details of the investigation.
He said police have interviewed numerous witnesses, but they are asking anyone with information on the case to come forward.
Through Crimestoppers, they can remain anonymous, and there is a reward.