05/14/09-Candlelight vigil held for missing Newport teen Megan Maxwell

It has been 17 days since a Newport teen disappeared.

Police found 19 year-old Megan Maxwell's burning car a few miles from her home last month, but there has been no sign of her since.

Thursday night, family and friends held a candlelight vigil.

Those in attendance hoped the event would spark new leads and douse false rumors that Maxwell has been found.

"People I've talked to say they thought Megan had been found because they hadn't seen anything or heard anything on t.v.," said Randy Lane, the volunteer coordinator for the search.

"It [rumors] gives us false hope. It hurts the investigation tremendously," said Megan Maxwell's mom, Lisa Maxwell.

The group also wanted to refresh East Tennessee's memory of Maxwell's picture and story.

"Somebody has to know something. A small thing would help," said Maxwell's closest friend, Hollie Lane.

Newport Police Chief Maurice Shults said investigators are following new leads everyday to their end.

Investigators have already searched the French Broad River.

Civilian teams have walked trails five times in the area where Maxwell's car was found.

A search and rescue team from North Carolina is also in Newport.

Another civilian group will gather Saturday to continue a foot search.

They will meet at 9 a.m. at the Western Plaza Shopping Center in Newport.

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• Megan Maxwell
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