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Missing Student Search Expands to Web

Mahalia Xiong

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Missing Student Search Expands to Web

By Jay Olstad

GREEN BAY - It's been more than five days since 21-year-old Mahalia Xiong was reported missing after she did not return from a night of bowling and drinking at an Ashwaubenon bowling alley and Green Bay bar.

The family is now getting help from the Internet.

David Wurst of Oshkosh set up a Web site with pictures of Xiong and other information in hopes it will lead to her safe return.

"We can help get out information, so we can help this family," Wurst said.

The Web site address is www.pleasehelpfind.org/mahaliaxiong.

Xiong's family told TODAY'S TMJ4 they believe a man abducted her.

"Let her go, let her go home," begged Mahalia's father, Xia Xiong.

Even though investigators say they have no evidence of foul play, Xia Xiong said it is not like his daughter to leave without telling someone.

He also said a psychic told him a man abducted Mahalia and is now holding her captive.

"I can't eat, or drink, or sleep," Xiong said.

Xiong's family said she left her car at the bowling alley around 11 p.m. Thursday, July 12 to go with friends to a Green Bay bar, Timeout Sports Bar & Grill, at 710 Hansen Road.

"She should have been home a long time ago, and if not, she would have gone to her boyfriend's," said Malee Xiong, Mahalia's sister.

Xiong and her friends left the bar and returned to Ashwaubenon so she could pick up her car about two Friday morning. She took a different route and headed back to Green Bay.

She called her boyfriend about 2:30 a.m. but didn't leave a message. No one has heard from her since. Xiong was physically seen driving her car around the same time.

"How am I feeling right now? Too many emotions to comment on that," said Xiong's boyfriend, Addison Lee. "I just hope she comes back safe and sound."

Police said that video surveillance tapes from convenience stores where Xiong might have stopped are being reviewed for any clues to her disappearance.

Police Lt. Todd LePine said investigators have been probing Xiong's cell phone records, interviewing friends and family and retracing her steps, including using a helicopter to look for her car.

She was driving a rented four-door, 1996 Mercury Sable with a Wisconsin license plate of TFD715.

Missing Student

"There's so many possibilities right now, we don't even know," said Melissa Sinitsky, Xiong's other sister. "We're taking all the roads she would have taken home, just driving all over."

The family said Xiong bowled at the alley most Thursday nights with friends.

"There was nothing out of the ordinary at all inside the bowling alley that night," said Jeffrey Schermetzler of Ashwaubenon Lanes.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay spokesman Chris Sampson said Xiong has registered as a senior for fall classes. She is an officer with the UW-Green Bay Hmong Student Association.

Family and friends said with each passing day, they lose hope Mahalia will come home.

"It's a nightmare. It never stops, "said Sinitsky. She asked that if anyone sees her sister or even thinks they do, to call police.

The family set up a reward fund at Pioneer Bank. The family said the money will be given to whoever has information leading to Xiong's whereabouts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.