Missing Family Likely Murdered: Police

Missing family members of the young teenage girl found bound and gagged in the basement of an Ohio man have likely been murdered, police fear. "We would like to retain a hopeful attitude, but we have to be realistic," said local Knox County Sheriff David Barber. Sarah Maynard, her 10-year-old brother, Kody, mom Tina Herrmann, and a friend vanished nearly a week ago from the family's home, which police found splattered with blood. Sarah, who was rescued by a police swat team, is aiding investigators. Barber called her the "epitome of bravery" for maintaining her cool through 5 days of captivity. Matthew Hoffman, 31, has been charged in her kidnapping.

Police have searched a park near Hoffman's Mt. Vernon home and retrieved a car from a lake that turned out not to be linked to the case. Following treatment in a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Sarah has been reunited with her divorced dad. "Physically, she is fine," Barber said. "Obviously she has been through a lot." Hoffman has served time for arson and burglary. Neighbors described him as "weird" and said he liked to spy on people in the street from a hammock in a tree outside his home. Police have not yet established any relationship between Hoffman and Sarah's family, reports ABC News.
(More Sarah Maynard stories.)