POLICE: Evidence Recovered in Case of Missing “Charli” Scott

Carly “Charli’s 4Runner, pictured here, was recovered by Maui police. MPD photo.

By Wendy Osher

Maui police released new information today on the disappearance of Carly “Charli” Scott, saying the woman’s vehicle and other possible evidence was recovered by police for further investigation.

“During the course of the search an individual, who was part of a private search party, found possible evidence,” said Lieutenant William Juan in a department press release.

Sources tell Maui Now that the woman’s sisters confirmed that clothes belonging to Charli were found on Thursday, Feb. 13, near mile marker 14 to 18, at a beach area near Honomanū off of the Hāna Highway.

Aerial and on scene photos 2/13/14, courtesy Morey Inc. Photo of Carly Scott courtesy family.

Police say Carly’s vehicle was recovered a day earlier from Peʻahi, on Wednesday Feb. 12, and described it as “burnt.”

Despite the damage, police say they were still able to read the vehicle identification number, and confirmed it to be that of the 1997 missing 4Runner with the plates MDE-889, belonging to Scott.

According to Lt. Juan, the vehicle was taken into evidence, and the Department continued a search for Scott in the Haʻikū area the next day on Thursday, Feb. 13.

That’s when an individual from a private search party, discovered “possible evidence,” which was recovered by police.

“We are asking anyone who is assisting in the search to call the department if they find any suspicious items; however, please do not touch, move, or recover the item as it may be evidence in this case or another case that the department is investigating,” said Lt. Juan.

The search and investigation is still on-going by the Maui Police Department, as well as a private search party led by family and friends of the missing woman.

“The department continues to follow up on all leads and is using other available resources to help in the investigation,” said Lt. Juan. “We want to thank the media and public for their assistance,” he said.

Members of the search team from Morey Inc. say they will be setting up a fund drive at a booth during tomorrow’s Whale Day celebration.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKF4J_0cjk /] Background Information:

Carly “Charli” Joann Scott, 27, was last known to have left the Haʻikū area on Sunday night to assist her ex-boyfriend, who family members say asked for help in getting his car out of a ditch near mile marker 20 of the Hāna Highway.

The woman’s ex-boyfriend, Steven Capobianco, spoke in an interview with Mileka Lincoln of Hawaii News Now, in which he answered questions about his account of what happened on Sunday night. He claimed that after he got his truck back on the road, they drove back in separate vehicles and he lost sight of her headlights around the Twin Falls area. Capobianco didn’t suspect anything was wrong. (That transcript can be found here.)

The woman’s dog, who was with her when she went missing, was found near the Nāhiku Market Place on Monday, and family members say her vehicle was located on Wednesday night in Peʻahi, mauka of the surf spot known as “Jaws.”

A search on Thursday involved both land and air assets and was focused on the coastline and area along the Hāna Highway from Haʻikū to Keʻanae.

Anyone with information that led to Scott’s disappearance is asked to call Detective Wendell Loo at (808) 270-6516 during business hours or (808) 268-2763 after hours.

Family and friends also launched an online anonymous tip survey where the public can provide anonymous tips on Scott’s whereabouts or information that led to her disappearance.

Family members have been providing updates via a Facebook page to assist in disseminating information regarding the case.