Community To Hold Prayer Vigil For Amanda Makovicka

The community of Orchard will hold a prayer vigil Monday night for Amanda Makovicka, who has been missing for more than a week.

The public is invited to attend the 7 p.m. vigil at the Evangelical Free Church in Orchard. Those unable to attend are asked to say a prayer for her safe return.

Makovicka, 31, was last seen Jan. 5 with Cory Wettlaufer, 33 of Inman. According to the Antelope County Sheriff's Department, a motorist reportedly had contact with Wettlaufer, who has spent time in prison for burglary in 2008, at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5 on 865 Road and 495 Ave.

A female matching Makovicka's description was in the passenger seat, according to officials. Wettlaufer told the motorist he had run out of gas. The motorist observed that the vehicle was running but gave Wettlaufer 1.5 gallons of gas. Wettlaufer reportedly then drove east toward Inman.

On Saturday, Civil Air Patrol aircraft flew over 25 hours in support of the Antelope County Sheriff’s search for the missing couple. According to CAP’s Incident Commander Lt. Col. Darrell Nelson, the Aircraft conducted a grid search in a 60-mile area bounded by O’Neil, Chambers, Orchard and Inman.

A CAP communications vehicle staffed with CAP members from Fremont provided air to ground communications and coordination with the Antelope and Holt County Sheriff’s Departments as well as the Nebraska State Patrol. A CAP ground search and rescue team assisted with a five-hour search of county roads in the primary search area.

On Sunday, the Civil Air Patrol announced that the search was suspended.

Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore reported that his office will be following up on several leads relative to the whereabouts of the missing couple in the coming week. They may be driving a White 1997 GMC Jimmy, Ne License Plate 36-K20, according to officials.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Antelope County sheriff at 402-887-4148 or Holt County Sheriff's Office at 402-336-2850.

---

Related Stories:
Civil Air Patrol Suspends Search For Wettlaufer, Makovicka
UPDATE: Cory Wettlaufer, Amanda Makovicka Missing Case
Antelope Co Sheriff: Search Continues For Missing Couple
Sheriff's Department, Civil Air Looking For Missing Couple