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Volunteers monitor the Weber River from the Adams Avenue Parkway bridge for signs of Libby Stimpson on Friday, May 12, 2023. Stimpson is believed to have been swept away by the river on May 1, 2023. The volunteers in the photo are Julie Hendrickson and her daughter Mollie Hendrickson, and Amy Hayes and her daughter Ashley Hayes.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

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From left, Mollie Hendrickson, her mom Julie Hendrickson, Amy Hayes and her daughter Ashley Hayes stand for a photo on the Adams Avenue Parkway bridge overlooking the Weber River on Friday, May 12, 2023. They are among the many volunteers who have been monitoring the river for signs of Libby Stimpson, believed to have been swept away in the river on May 1, 2023.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

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The search for clues in the disappearance of Libby Stimpson, believed to have fallen into the Weber River in the Uintah area last week, continues.

But no one’s reporting major new developments in the ongoing efforts, launched May 1, when the Weber County Sheriff’s Office received the initial reports that someone in distress had been seen floating down the river in the area. Stimpson had been walking her dogs and the animals were found safe and sound, but not the young woman.

“There’s nothing new,” said Mattie Heiner, Stimpson’s sister. “They’ve just been doing the same things they have been.”

Friday morning, Amy Hayes of South Weber and Julie Hendrickson of Uintah — two of the many volunteers who have stepped forward to aid the search effort — were monitoring the river from the Adams Avenue Parkway bridge over the waterway. They are friends with the Stimpson family and were accompanied by their respective daughters, Ashley Hayes and Mollie Hendrickson.

“You do it to support the family,” said Amy Hayes, who has had a few stints volunteering.

The ostensible aim of the volunteers — complementing search-and-rescue efforts led by the Weber County Sheriff’s Office — is to spot anything in the river that may help in finding Stimpson, 27, who worked in merchandising and graphic design. Volunteers have been standing vigil around the clock on two spans over the waterway, the Adams Avenue Parkway crossing and a pedestrian bridge west of that.

But Hendrickson, like Hayes, said there’s another more intangible aim in showing up — “to reach out to (Stimpson’s family) and show our love for them.” That so many volunteers have stepped forward, she said, shows how tight-knit the community is.

A sheriff’s office rep didn’t immediately respond to a query on Friday seeking a comment on where things stand. But Hayes said they are present, periodically touching base with volunteers as they carry out their efforts. Kayakers, divers, drones and sniffer dogs have been employed by the search-and-rescue team to help.

“They check on the people. They ask if we have any questions,” Hayes said. “They just told us to basically look out for anything out of the ordinary.”

A pair of propane tanks and a propane heating apparatus sit on the Adams Avenue Parkway bridge to keep volunteers warm during the wee morning hours. Others have left snacks and water for the volunteers while a powerful light has been placed on the bridge to aid with nighttime monitoring.

For Heiner, Stimpson’s sister, the outpouring from everyone helping has been heartwarming. “Volunteers are still showing up. It’s kind of incredible,” she said.