UPDATE: Police search for missing woman, last seen at Lanier Point Park

The Gainesville Police Department and other agencies were actively searching for a missing 23-year-old woman Thursday morning.

 

Police Sgt. Kevin Holbrook identified the woman as Lizeth Ruby Ruiz.  She was reported missing late Wednesday night in the area of Lanier Point Park.

 

He said authorities conducted an extensive search of the park off of Dawsonville Highway and the surrounding area Wednesday night.  The search resumed Thursday morning.

 

"We know that she was here, possibly with some friends.  At some point, it was determined that she was no longer with the group, but yet again we do have coordinated efforts on the water as well as on land," Holbrook said.  

 

He called the water component of the search a precautionary measure.

 

"From the best of our knowledge, you know, they were here possibly in recreational activities.  It's believed that they were on land, not on water," Holbrook said.

 

Early into the search, he said investigators don't believe drugs or alcohol were a factor.  Holbrook said Ruiz's friends and family members were fully cooperating with the search efforts.

 

Police asked anyone with information on her whereabouts to call 911.

 

Agencies including the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Hall County Fire Services, Gainesville Fire Department and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources were taking part in the search effort.