INDIANAPOLIS — It's been a week since an Indianapolis mother went missing. Now family and friends of Chenell Gilbert will pass out about 2,000 flyers including in the Glennwoods subdivision — an area near where they believe she was last seen.
This case all started after no one saw or heard from the 42-year-old mother on Tuesday, June 9. Her daughter used the "Find my Phone" feature on her mother's cell and located her car. But the homeowner near where the phone was pinged told Gilbert's family that she drove to the house but never came inside. When Gilbert's family asked to take a look around inside, he refused so they ended up calling for police.
According to Gilbert's daughter, the same man refused to let officers inside his home to look around.
"Chenell is an outgoing, life of the party person, love her children, love her grandkids, always kept a smile on her face and just an outgoing individual," Danyette Smith, a family friend said.
When the missing mother left home she was wearing a black sweatsuit, carrying a black tote purse and had her hair braided.
She is described as 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 169 pounds. She has black hair with gold streaks.
After meeting up at the Bob Evans restaurant parking lot on Rockville and South High School roads, family and friends plan to canvass neighborhoods nearby. They hope to touch someone's heart in the community who may have clues about their loved one.
"We never stop looking," Smith said. "There is no stop until we are able to hug Ms. Chenell and know exactly where she is."
Gilbert's family shared with 13News that IMPD Missing Persons eventually searched the residence where they found her car. Given Gilbert's extensive ties to the community and lack of digital footprint, Crime Stoppers called her disappearance "very unusual and very suspicious."
Anyone with information in this case or Gilbert's whereabouts are asked to call IMPD or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.