Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
'Reunite Her With Her Family,' FBI Pleads With Man Who Allegedly Abducted Ex's Daughter
"You know Isabel should be home safe with her family," FBI agent David Archey said in a direct appeal to Bruce Lynch about missing teen Isabel Hicks.
The FBI has issued a direct appeal to a Virginia man accused of abducting his ex-girlfriend's daughter, pleading with him to return her safely.
"Bruce, as parents, let us appeal to you," David Archey, special agent in charge of the Richmond Field Office said Monday. "You know Isabel should be home safe with her family –– warm, rested and protected. I'm sure you want what's best for her. Please return Isabel to a safe location or contact us and let us know how we can help you reunite her with her family."
Archey is hoping that Bruce William Lynch Jr., 33, will listen. He is accused of abducting Isabel Hicks, 14, from her home in Bumpass last week, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said in a Friday statement. Lynch previously dated Hicks’ mother, according to WRIC in Richmond.
Both the FBI and the sheriff’s office believe Lynch is armed and dangerous. The sheriff’s office noted that he “had recent suicidal ideations.” They are calling the teen “endangered.”
Archey said he does not know where the two are but said that several places of interest have been identified and are being investigated. He also said the FBI will continue keep the case in the public eye as it has already produced numerous leads, all of which he said are being vetted.
Investigators said it’s possible that the two could be in rural areas, maybe outside of Virginia, camping.
Lynch was living in Hick’s home until he was kicked out a month ago, unnamed sources told WTVR in Richmond. Those same sources do not believe that the eighth grader was initially taken against her will.
Investigators announced a felony abduction warrant out on Lynch on Friday, the same day an Amber Alert had been activated for the teen.
Hicks' family spoke directly to the missing teen at a press conference last week.
“I just want to say we miss you very much and we want you to come home,” Hicks' brother Blake Saylor said, WTVR reports.
"Please just let us know you’re safe, however you can. I’m still your big brother and I’ll love you forever. I just need my best friend back.”
Hicks is described as a white girl with long, straight blonde hair and blue eyes, who stands at 4’11” and weighs between 120 and 130 pounds. She has a birthmark on the inside of her right leg and both of her ears are pierced.
Lynch is described as a white man with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a beard, stands at 5’10” and weighs about 195 pounds. He has cross tattoos on both upper arms and a tattoo of his own name, "Bruce," on the top of his back.
Lynch and the teen are believed to be traveling in a blue or silver 2003 Toyota Matrix with a Virginia license plate of VEM9071. However, the investigators noted that Lynch may have switched tags to UXW3614 or 249-9UT, both still Virginia plates.
Anyone with information on the missing girl’s whereabouts is asked to contact Louisa County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 967-1234, Louisa Crime Solvers at 800-346-1466, the Virginia State Police at 1-800-822-4453 or the Richmond Division of the FBI at 804-261-1044. As Lynch is considered armed, people are urged not to approach him.
