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Updated 02/02/2002 06:55 PM

Official search for Rachel Cooke ends

By: Antonio Castelan

For the last three weeks thousands of search volunteers on horseback, by foot, and on four-wheelers have scoured four counties in search of Rachel Cooke.

An official search ended on Saturday since no signs or clues have surfaced in the disappearance of a 19-year-old Georgetown woman.

Tony Avizenis led the group of 100 on the last day. "Nobody would feel good ... unless there's closure for the family in some way, shape or form," he said.

Avizenis has lived in the Cooke's neighborhood for 16 years. He has done the search six times and even though it's coming to an end, there are no regrets.

"Everybody that has volunteered. Not only the ground search, but the churches, the local H-E-B, the cleaners, all these places that have donated things," Avizenis said. "Everybody has done everything they can do."

Flyers are posted all over town and yellow ribbons decorate trees to remind people that Rachel is still missing.

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"We want everybody to know that we have not given up hope at all," said Elaine Cooke, Rachel's aunt. "We still cling to the hope that Rachel may be out there somewhere -- alive."

Avizenis said the community will never be the same. "The key is most people are real mad. Not only that it changed, it will for sure change the Coooke's life, but has changed everybody's life out there."

To help

If you have any tips for the investigation you are urged to call (512) 943-1300.