Neligh-Oakdale Sends Message: Bring Sydney Back

As Neligh-Oakdale educators George and Susie Loofe search for their daughter, Sydney, their school came together on Wednesday to show its support. And their message was clear — Bring Sydney Back!

Wearing green and holding signs, Neligh-Oakdale students, faculty and staff gathered for a photo in the gymnasium. George is the 7-12 principal and assistant football coach, and Susie is a special education teacher.

​Superintendent Scott Gregory addressed the group prior to the photo and said everyone's thoughts and prayers are with the family.

"One thing about Neligh-Oakdale — we have each other's back," said Gregory. "We are supportive, and we provide help when we can. They are definitely in our thoughts and prayers today, and I hope they feel embraced by this gesture. Hopefully, Sydney will be found and returned."

Students passed out green ribbons to wear, as well as signs donated by Blackburn Manufacturing. The signs featured the words on one of Sydney's tattoos, "Everything Will Be Wonderful Someday."

"We go forward in hope, and we go forward in desire that that the Loofes will be able to find their daughter and be made whole again," Gregory said.

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​Sydney Loofe, 24 of Lincoln and formerly of Neligh, has been missing since Wednesday. Lincoln Police Chief Bliemeister held a press conference this morning asking for the media and public to continue assisting with the search for her.

Bliemeister said he was addressing the media not to inform them of the details of the investigation in the missing person’s case. But instead, he and the family of George and Susie Loofe are asking for more help.

“The family of Sydney continues to take a very active role in her search,” Bliemeister said. “This release is not designed to detail each investigative measure the Lincoln Police Department and other law enforcement agencies have taken, but to renew our need for the media and public’s assistance in locating Sydney.”

The Loofe family has said that their last contact with Sydney was via SnapChat prior to a date on Wednesday, Nov. 15, with a stranger she met online. She did not go to work the next morning and her vehicle remained at her apartment.

“The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are concerning,” Bliemeister said.

He added, “As of today I can share with you the last confirmed sighting of Sydney was in Saline County on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Sydney’s family, the Lincoln Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners are continuing with this investigative search.”

Bliemeister said multiple agencies are involved in the search for the 24-year-old who now lives in Lincoln but is formerly of Neligh. Both of Sydney’s parents are employed at Neligh-Oakdale Public School.

“Multiple members of the Lincoln Police Department, including our criminal investigation division, has been completing interviews, following a digital footprint and corresponding with other law enforcement agencies,” Bliemeister said.

Bliemeister said the LPD has been working closely with Saline County Sheriff Alan Moore “based on information received.”

While a candlelight vigil was happening in Neligh on Sunday, Lincoln police and Saline County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly were in Wilber investigating near a home in connection with the disappearance of Sydney Loofe.

Police presence reportedly was heaviest around a home near the high school in Wilber, around 600 block of W 7th Street. No details have been released other than that the police presence was in connection to Sydney's disappearance. 

Sydney is a 5'7 female weighing about 130 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her last known location was near Wilber, Nebraska.

​Sydney has a yin-yang on one of her forearms, the word "Believe" with a cross on the inside of her left wrist, and the phrase "Everything will be wonderful someday" on her right bicep.

If you have any information on her whereabouts, contact the Lincoln Police Department at 402-441-7204.