Woman found; left voluntarily

Jen Lawson

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 | 11:18 a.m.

A 26-year-old mother who was reported missing a week ago has been found and had apparently left on her own accord, Metro Police said.

Leslie Fender left her apartment at Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Maryland Parkway to buy cigarettes the morning of Feb. 20 and didn't return, her estranged husband, Adam, told police. She left their 7-month-old son in his care.

Police said initially they suspected foul play because she was known to be very attached to her son.

But today, Lt. Brad Simpson of Metro's missing persons section said detectives verified that Leslie Fender was at a casino in Primm on Wednesday night and may have gone to Southern California at some point.

Simpson said the investigation has ended, since she appears to be "a voluntary missing person."

"Everything was rather suspicious because of the abruptness of her disappearance," Simpson said. "We get really upset when the circumstances indicate there is foul play."

On Feb. 7 Leslie Fender filed for divorce from Adam, to whom she had been married since September 2001, and filed a restraining order against him. She withdrew the divorce papers Feb. 19, the day before she disappeared.

"I'm glad she's OK," Adam Fender said.