Police search for missing Raymore woman Jessica Runions in Grandview and Belton area

Kansas City police along with the Missouri Search and Rescue team are searching in the Grandview and Belton area for Jessica Runions, who has been missing since Sept. 8.

Police would not provide details on where the search is taking place but indicated it was a large area.

“We have been searching for Jessica Runions since her disappearance,” said Sgt. Kari Thompson, a police spokeswoman. “We are doing everything we can to find this young lady.”

Runions, 21, of Raymore, was last seen with Kylr Yust leaving a gathering in south Kansas City.

Days after Runions’ disappearance, authorities charged Yust, 28, with burning her 2012 black Chevrolet Equinox, which authorities found in the early morning hours of Sept. 10.

He is not charged in the disappearance of Runions.

Thursday’s search gives hope to the woman’s family.

“Anytime they go out it’s encouraging,” said Linda Runions, Jessica’s grandmother. “We feel like when they go out, there’s a purpose.”

Family and friends, as well as strangers, have been out searching many times on their own since Runions disappeared. Large groups of volunteers have combed areas in south Kansas City and around Belton.

On top of those searches, Linda Runions said she and her husband, along with a small group of relatives, go out at least twice a week looking for her granddaughter.

“We search areas that are hidden,” she said. “And my son (Jessica’s father) goes out after work. He goes until he can’t see anymore.”

On Thursday, Thompson said investigators were examining social media, including those connected to Runions and others related to the disappearance. Examining social media is a common practice with missing persons and in other investigations.

“We have worked collaboratively with the Missouri Search and Rescue organization since the beginning of this investigation,” Thompson said.

Relatives and investigators said they remain hopeful that she will be found.

Yust was questioned in the 2007 disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Kara Kopetsky.

Laura Bauer contributed to this story.

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Police search for missing Raymore woman Jessica Runions in Grandview and Belton area."