Photo Shows Missing Woman in Park

A new photograph may help shed some light on a woman missing for more than a week now in Athens. Cayle Bywater was last seen December 29 in an Athens park.

Loved ones said Cayle Bywater was busy preparing to celebrate the New Year. For them, 2008 has been a year of worry and confusion.

"As we get into this it becomes more baffling," said Cayle's mother, Valery Bywater. "As we get more details, it's sort of like she's in the park -- then she just evaporated."

Cayle was last seen walking her dog around Athens Memorial Park on December 29. Police, friends and family have searched the area without success.

Now, investigators are hoping this will help: one visitor of the park that day snapped a photograph of a young boy on a swing. In the background, Cayle is visible with her dog. Cayle is wearing jeans, a red, white and blue jacket, and glasses.

"If someone's seen her at another time, anywhere we can place her whether at the park or her house or anywhere will be critical," said Maj. Mark Sizemore of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Several people have reported seeing Cayle in the park that day, and have told police that she seemed disoriented and confused. Her family says she is bipolar and on medication, but insists it is not like her to wander off, and not like her dog Ollie to leave her side. He was found without his leash at Cayle's home.

"I fear someone's got her," said Cayle's sister, Tiffiny Cohen. "I fear someone saw her in the park confused, saw someone not right by herself."

They're now hanging their hopes on this photograph to bring them some answers.

Anyone with information about Cayle Bywater or her whereabouts is urged to call Athens-Clarke County police at 706-613-3330.