Authorities Pursue New Lead in Disappearance of Jennifer Cahill-Shadle

Eleven weeks after Jennifer Cahill-Shadle disappeared, authorities are pursuing a new lead in the case.

Investigators told a group of reporters Friday morning they are attempting to identify a group of men who shared drinks with Cahill-Shadle at Champs Sports Grill on North Atherton Street the evening of May 2, roughly two weeks before she was last seen at Walmart in Ferguson Township.

Police say the men are not suspects, but detectives would like to talk to them in hopes Cahill-Shadle may have discussed her plans for the near future, which would be information that could lead to her whereabouts.

“The men are not in any trouble. We would just like to speak with them,” says Ferguson Township Police Chief Diane Conrad.

Authorities released a copy of an American Express credit card receipt from Champs, which one of the men used to pay the tab. Police are asking for help to identify the cardholder. Police can contact the credit card company directly, however, investigators say the company is not required to release clients’ personal information.

Police say it appeared Cahill-Shadle met the men for the first time that evening while at the bar.

Anyone with information regarding Cahill-Shadle’s whereabouts or who can identify the Champs patrons can contact Ferguson Township Police at (814) 237-1172 or 1-800-479-0050.

Cahill-Shadle was last seen around 5 p.m. May 15 at Walmart carrying a black shoulder bag. Police released surveillance images of Cahill-Shadle from Walmart, which were captured about 4:51 p.m. when she was seen exiting the store.

Investigators are still in the process of combing through surveillance video pulled from other cameras in the area.

Cahill-Shadle lived in Ferguson Township for years before moving to Orwigsburg last November to live with her mother. She returned to the State College area in April, staying at hotels or with friends, but not at the Ferguson Township home she had shared with her husband.

Loved ones say Cahill-Shadle was going through a divorce. After staying with her mother, she decided to move back to the State College area to be closer to her two children. Loved ones say she was staying in hotels while looking for an apartment.

Authorities say what is particularly concerning about Cahill-Shadle’s disappearance is that she has not contacted her children. Conrad says, typically, Cahill-Shadle called her children every couple of days.

Cahill-Shadle also typically used credit and debit cards to make purchases, however, police say she has not used her cards since May 15. Additionally, she has not used her medical insurance.

Conrad says Cahill-Shadle has issues with substance abuse, which Conrad says could make her “easier prey.”

So far, authorities are not ruling anything out.

“The investigation is still open. We haven’t ruled anyone or any circumstances in or out,” says Conrad.

Cahill-Shadle does not have a car and usually gets around by walking or taking a taxi. Police described her as a white female who is 5-feet 4-inches tall, weighs 115 pounds, and has blue eyes and curly brown hair.

“Everybody’s on high alert and they (investigators) are treating this woman as if she’s a member of their family,” says Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller. “The goal is for people to rack their brains and let us know if they saw anything. … Any lead, even if people think it’s not important, might be important.”

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