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Friday, just before 8 a.m., search and recovery teams returned to the lake at Buck Creek State Park, expanding the search for LaTricia Bass-Jefferies to the woods surrounding the water. K-9 units helped with that part of the mission as investigators continued to search the water, Trooper Sheldon Goodrum said.
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Agencies including the Piqua Fire Department dive team, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Clark County Sheriff’s deputies used sonar technology to locate the body and the vehicle she was believed to have been driving.
“We did find a body ... several hundred yards from where we were actually looking,” said Lt. Brian Aller, Springfield Post commander, Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Thursday afternoon, search and rescue teams pulled from the lake a sedan belonging to the woman’s estranged husband.
Bass-Jefferies was the last known person using the vehicle, said Dayton Police Lt. Jason Hall, commander of the Violent Crimes Bureau.
Tuesday, her husband reported Bass-Jefferies missing after she had not been seen since Jan. 18, a Saturday, when she was reported to have taken another woman to Springfield, records show.
“The assigned detective examined the information available in this case, and spoke with family and other persons close to Mrs. Bass-Jefferies,” Lt. Hall said.
“This initial information revealed that this situation is not consistent with Mrs. Bass-Jefferies’ normal routine.”
Hall said the information investigators were able to gather led them to Buck Creek State Park.
Anyone who has information about the investigation of Bass-Jefferies’ death should call police at 937-333-COPS. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP.
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