GEORGETOWN, Texas — Wednesday marks 22 years since Rachel Cooke, a then 19-year-old girl, went missing in Georgetown. She went for a run near her family home and was never seen again.
In January of 2002, Cooke was visiting home for the holidays. She was on winter vacation from her school, San Diego Mesa College.
She was last seen by her family in the early morning hours on Jan. 10, 2002. It is believed Cooke left the house around 8:30 a.m. for her daily four-mile run. She was last seen walking toward her house, approximately 200 yards away.
An army of volunteers searched for her after her disappearance. In 2016, Cooke’s mother Janet described the long search as unbelievable.
“I mean thousands and thousands of people came and walked their hearts out,” she said. “And they’d come back crying because they didn’t find her.”
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Her family and law enforcement still hope for Cooke’s safe return.
On the day she went missing, Cooke was wearing a gray running outfit, a green sports bra and Asics running shoes. She had a yellow Walkman on her arm with headphones.
She has two heart-shaped cherries tattooed on her left shoulder and a black star tattooed on her left foot. She has multiple ear piercings and a naval piercing.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Cooke’s location.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said anyone with a tip can also reach out to 512-943-5204 or email coldcasetips@wilco.org.
We must continue to do everything we can to bring Rachel home. By working together, we can make sure that justice is served and her family receives the closure they deserve. -Williamson County Sheriff’s Office