Efforts stepped up to find missing Forsyth County woman

CUMMING - One week after she disappeared, the search continues for Patrice Tambers Endres, 38, of Forsyth County - and the search efforts are being stepped up.

Endres has been missing since last Thursday morning when she was last seen at her beauty salon on Matt Highway.

Forsyth County Sheriff's spokeswoman Karlene Chalker said Wednesday Sheriff Ted Paxton is stepping up efforts and moving the search command center to downtown Cumming.

"Sheriff Paxton has assigned four investigators full time to just be working on this case," Chalker said.

The command center had been located in the basement of Zion Hill Baptist Church.

Chalker says there have been many tips called in to the sheriff's office but none have panned out.

Investigators have not committed to calling the disappearance a crime.

Wednesday investigators searched an area of Cherokee County and searched several wooded areas of Forsyth County where they had searched before.

"We want to make sure we have covered every inch of ground possible," Sheriff Paxton said.

A composite sketch of a possible suspect and a description of a white utility van was released last week and fingerprints were lifted from Endres' SUV, which investigators feel was moved by someone other than Endres.

The prints have been sent to the FBI office in Washington but have not been identified.

The man is described as a white male in his late 30s to early 40s. He is approximately 6' tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He has long brown hair and was possibly wearing a camouflage ball cap. He was wearing a dark gray jersey-style jacket and loose-fitting pants.

The van is described as a white 1999-2004 Chevrolet or GMC cargo van with no windows on the driver's side. The van did have rear windows.

A website has been set up for the search effort, the address is listed below.

Also, a benefit fund has been established for Patrice Endres and her son, D. Wade "Pistol" Black at Regions Bank in Forsyth County. Anyone wishing to make a contribution may make a deposit at any Regions Bank or mail funds to Regions Bank, c/o Bonnie Welchel, FBO/Patrice Endres and D. Wade "Pistol" Black, 3270 Dahlonega Hwy., Cumming, Ga. 30040.

Chalker said they are still asking for the public's help and encourages anyone with information about the disappearance to call them at 770-781-2222 or visit the sheriff's office website, also listed below.