Disappearance of 26-year-old old a 'possible homicide' By JACK BAKER Tribune Correspondent THREE RIVERS - St. Joseph County sheriff's investigators said they are considering the disappearance of a 26-year-old Three Rivers woman who disappeared while jogging Tuesday afternoon in the western part of the county a possible homicide. The search for her was continuing today. More than two dozen officers from three police agencies in St. Joseph and Cass counties searched a six-square-mile area in Flowerfield Twp. near Mt. Zion and Bent roads for 30 hours in an effort to locate Linda Sue VanBuskirk. Sheriff's officials say witnesses report that VanBuskirk was abducted at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday by a man driving a dark-colored hatchback automobile about two miles from where she lives with her two small children at Day and Dutch Settlement roads near the Cass County line. VanBuskirk reportedly had obtained a divorce from her husband, Three Rivers patrolman Bruce VanBuskirk, in January. St. Joseph County Sheriff Neubert Balk said Wednesday that VanBuskirk was evidently the victim of foul play, and the kidnapping or abduction is being treated as a possible homicide. Balk spent 24 hours directing the search that began at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. He said that some blood had been found at the abduction site, but he would not elaborate. Balk said that evidence gathered at the scene has been sent to the Michigan State Police crime laboratory in Lansing. VanBuskirk, the 1975 valedictorian at Three Rivers High School, previously worked in the Constantine Village offices. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jacobs of West Hoffman Road, Three Rivers. She was wearing a green pullover sweater and blue jeans and blue sneakers at the time of her disappearance. The St. Joseph County Sheriff's mounted posse searched the many trails and lanes in a driving rainstorm Wednesday in an effort to gain leads into the disappearance. A helicopter from the Cass County Sheriff's Department was also called in to aid in the search. Two Three River city detectives also aided in the investigation and tracking dogs were used by the sheriff's department. Neighbors in the remote region that is dotted with farms and surrounded by heavy wooded areas and swamps also joined the search until it was suspended Wednesday night. Sheriff's officials are urging anyone who may have information about the case to call the sheriff's department at 467-9045.