Teen Makes Plea: Don't Forget My Mom (Updated With Amber's Quotes)
Amber Simmons and her mother Rachel CongerMarch 13 will be a date young Amber Simmons will sadly never forget. She went to bed the night before and when she woke up, her mother, Rachel Conger and step-father Paul were gone. What happened next in this small city of Paris, Tennessee, is a mystery. Paul was found three days later in the woods, dead of what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Rachel's wallet, cellphone, and ID were found in Paul's nearby truck. But so far, there has been no sign of her. Officials fear the worst, that she was the victim of a murder-suicide at the hand of Paul.
"She is just a really amazing woman," Amber, 13, said. "We were best friends. We did everything together." She remembered the times her mother took her to carnivals and fairs; the trips they'd take to places like Wyoming and Florida. Since that horrible March day, Amber's life turned to finding her mother--her best friend. "It's been hard. I've just been really focused on getting her found. I built a MySpace page, held fund raisers like bake sales, yard sales, a car wash and we are having a concert in September. I'm trying to raise money to get my mom found and to bring search teams in. And I'm trying to create a search team and I need to raise money to buy equipment for that."
This Sunday, the CUE Center for Missing Persons will make a stop in Paris, Tennessee to honor Rachel and other missing people. Amber will speak at the event telling people about her mom and the efforts being made to find her.
As strong as Amber has been, her grandmother says she worries about the turnout remembering her mom. Like many cold cases, people's interest quickly fades.
"There really hasn't been a chance to advertise much," Amber said. "And I really, really appreciate the 30 volunteers that came to the last search, but I'm hoping we can get more people to turn up for this so we can get the word out there better. The main newspaper hasn't really followed my mom's story that much although the Henry Countian has been supportive."
Amber is an amazing girl. As time goes by, rumors circulated that perhaps Rachel killed Paul and took off. She knows that's not the case. "I was her life. We were everything to each other. I know she would never leave me."
The rally will take place Sunday at Memorial Park in Paris, TN from 2:30-4:30 p.m. In addition to hearing Amber speak, the local sheriff's department will provide fingerprinting for children ID kits and there will be a balloon release.
People in the Paris area, show your support for this brave teen. Show her you haven't forgotten about her mother. She needs that from you more than you know.
On September 6, there will be a concert, organized by Amber at 5:00 p.m., at the Casey Jones Amphitheater. Tickets will be $10 with the proceeds going toward bringing in professional search teams. Country and Christian singer Mary Elizabeth will perform along with other bands.
Below is a story from HenryCountian.com published just days after Rachel disappeared.
Search For Missing Woman Resumes By Shannon McFarlin
smcfarlin@henrycountian.com
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| An extensive search continues today for Rachel Conger, pictured on a recent driver's license photo |
PARIS, Tenn. — An extensive search resumed this morning for Rachel Conger, 30, 2020 Briarpatch Lake Road, who had been missing with her husband since Thursday.
Her husband, Paul, 50, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 10 a.m. Sunday morning in woods near the couple's home.
Sheriff Monte Belew said Sunday evening that law enforcement officials fear that Mrs. Conger may be in extreme danger or fatally wounded. "We're afraid this may be a murder-suicide," Belew said.
The search today continues in the Swan Bay area and into Stewart County, while an equestrian unit continues looking near the couple's home.
Belew said the sheriff's department started working the missing persons case Thursday.
The sheriff this morning provided a timeline on the case. He said Rachel, Paul and their daughter spent the night together on Wednesday. When their daughter woke up, her parents were gone and Rachel Conger has not been seen since.
Rachel was last seen Thursday, driving away in a gray 2000 Ford truck with her husband. They were in the Como area, he said.
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| Paul Conger, as pictured on his driver's license photo. Conger was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday morning. |
The investigation into the case has determined that the Congers were having problems, but were in the process of trying to reconcile. "Paul and Rachel did leave the Como area Thursday morning around 7:45 a.m.," Belew said. "The last phone conversation on Rachel's phone was Thursday morning around 9:30 a.m. and Paul was who answered the phone. The caller did not speak with Rachel."
The same day, around noon, "Paul was seen at their home on Briarpatch Lake Road by himself. He was there only for a brief time," Belew said.
On Saturday, the vehicle that both were last seen in was located in a wooded area off of Briarpatch Lake Road. A search of the vehicle found her wallet, ID, cell phone and personal medication. "No one was around the vehicle and the search continued into the night," he said.
When the search resumed Sunday, Paul Conger's body was found.
Investigators from the sheriff's department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and Paris-Henry County Rescue Squad, searched all day yesterday by a variety of means, using K-9s, ATVs, horses and the 24th Judicial Task Force helicopter. A cadaver dog from the highway patrol office in Nashville also was used, but with no success.
Belew said all leads will be followed and if anyone has any information, they are asked to call 731-642-1672.
I hope that this community gives support to this young lady. No matter what the circumstances are or may be, she is the one who is left behind with the daunting task of searching for her mother.
According to many that I have spoken with, a daughter's heart can not rest until she knows where her mother is. Amber needs to know....please, everyone who can, help her out in any small way available, she deserves to know.
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Amber, my child I pray for you. I live in Paris, but ufortunately I have not been able to attend the search & rescues so far but I promise you this, next search, I WILL be there. GOD BLES YOU AND YOUR DEDICATION!
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Amber, my heart is heavy for you and my prayers are going up for you to be able to locate your mother. I wasn't able to be at the search last Sunday but you are in my heart and prayers. Thanks to Henry Countian for keeping us posted with any progress.
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How difficult this must of have been for you. I hope you find your mother and you have the strength to go through these difficult moments.
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