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Vigil Held In Essex For Former Baltimore Co. Native Missing In Florida

ESSEX, Md. (WJZ)—A Baltimore County family is grieving after a police cadet disappears. She's been missing for three months, and now her family fears the worst has happened to her.

Weijia Jiang spoke to the victim's family.

Kelly Rothwell—born and raised in Overlea—has been missing since March.

The 35-year-old is the oldest of four girls. Her sisters are convinced of the worst.

Did Rothwell just up and leave?

"No. I don't believe so at all," responded her sister Lindsay Rothwell.

"We believe we know what happened," said her sister Kristen Snowden.

"I think someone killed her and hid her somewhere," said her sister Lauren Rothwell.

On Saturday, tears fell as loved ones held a vigil for Kelly Rothwell at Essex Community College,where she earned an associate's degree.

Kelly Rothwell moved to Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. and was training as a police cadet.

"There's someone else out there who knows where she is. All we need is that one tip," said Lindsay Rothwell.

Rothwell's sisters say though they believe she is dead. They hope police find her body to bring them closure, and to bring someone to justice.

"Based on the situation, it does look like something potentially could have happened to her," said Det. Mike Bailey, Pinellas County Police.

Police say Kelly Rothwell told friends she was having domestic issues with her live-in boyfriend, David Perry, and was on her way to break up with him when she disappeared.

Shortly after, investigators say Perry, 46, abruptly moved to New York, and then refused to discuss the case with them.

Police call him a person of interest, but so far not a suspect.

"She was amazing, peaceful, positive. It's sad such a peaceful person met such an unfortunate ending," Snowden said.

Family members vow to keep Rothwell's memory alive by celebrating all she gave them.

"Everything about her was positive and beautiful," said Lindsay Rothwell.

The day after she was reported missing, police found Rothwell's car intact but several miles away from her house. Other than that, little information has surfaced as the investigation continues.

In an unrelated case, David Perry was arrested in New York last month on insurance fraud and grand larceny charges.

The family is offering a $25,000 reward for information in this case. To find out how to donate to the reward, click here.

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