LV man plans fundraiser to help find missing mother

Karen Zekan

Friday, April 5, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A local man is seeking the public's help this weekend with a benefit car wash to raise money in the search to find his mother.

The proceeds will go toward the cost of hiring a private investigator to find Barbara Turner-Elliot, as well as to raise the $2,000 reward money being offered for information leading to solving the woman's disappearance, said her son, David Turner.

"I just want my mom back," said Turner, a UNLV hotel management student. "I'm trying every angle I possibly can. Hopefully this car wash can help us eventually find her."

The car wash will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chief Auto Parts, 3480 S. Rainbow Blvd. A $5 donation is being asked for cars, and an extra donation for trucks and vans.

Turner-Elliot was last seen Feb. 18 at the shopping center at Rainbow Boulevard and Flamingo Road where she stopped about 5 p.m. to pick up a prescription inside the Sav-on pharmacy.

Her car was found at 10 p.m. that night several miles away in a deserted parking lot at the Angel Park Golf Course. Her purse and the prescription were found inside but the keys were missing.

Metro Police homicide detectives have received numerous calls from people who believe they've seen the woman in town, but police have yet to develop any solid leads on Turner-Elliot's whereabouts.

There has been no activity on her credit card or bank accounts, and neither friends, family or co-workers have heard from Turner-Elliot since Feb. 18 -- facts which lead police to suspect foul play.

The mother of three sons has been a longtime resident of Las Vegas and worked for the past eight years as a social worker at University Medical Center.

For the past seven weeks, Turner has canvassed the parking lot where his mother was last seen, passing out fliers with her photo and description on them in hopes someone may remember something that could help in the search.

He's banking his hopes now on a private investigator, Turner said.

In addition to following up on leads, Metro Police have also flown around the more remote areas of Clark County in search of the woman's body on a speculation that she could have been killed.

Local radio stations have been airing public service announcements about Turner-Elliot's disappearance and the car wash, and Pepsi-Cola has also agreed to donate to Saturday's event, Turner said.

Turner-Elliott