Vigil Held For Local Missing Mother

Grosse Pointe Woods Woman Missing Since Tuesday Night

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. – Dozens of friends and family members of a missing Grosse Pointe Woods woman held a candlelight vigil Thursday hoping and praying for her safe return.

Joann Matouk Romain,55, disappeared Jan. 12. Police said Romain?s car was found parked in the lot of St. Paul?s Church on Lakeshore Drive, along with her purse and over $1,000.

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Romain?s daughter, Michelle, said her mother attended services regularly at the church, but that she had no idea why her mother was there.

Police said there were footprints that led from the car to the edge of Lake St. Clair, where there was a visible impression in the snow of what looks like someone sitting near the water?s edge -- but no footprints back.

The developments pointed to a possible suicide, but Romain?s daughter said new information is offering new insight and that she believes her mother was kidnapped.

?All she did was cook and go to church. We talked to her on the hour every hour. For her to go missing it?s all relevant now for her to have said she felt she was being followed,? said Michelle Romain.

Two people have come forward saying they heard Romain?s panic button go off from inside her vehicle.

?They said it was longer than shorter, probably 10 seconds, 15 seconds. Long enough for her to press it and someone else to grab her keys and press it back,? Michelle Romain said.

In addition to police investigation, the family is also getting help from psychics they hired.

The family is offering a $250,000 reward for the missing woman?s safe return.