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Blood Of Missing Clerk Found Outside Gas Station

NORTON SHORES (WWJ/AP) - Police in west Michigan say a small amount of blood found outside a gas station belonged to a 25-year-old woman who disappeared from her job as a night clerk.

Norton Shore police Chief Daniel Shaw said that investigators found what appeared to be blood at a location outside of the Exxon Mobil station.

"We collected several samples of, at that time, suspicious substances outside of the Exxon Mobile station. The substance was indeed blood, and subsequent DNA analysis did confirm that it was blood from Jessica Lynn Heeringa," Shaw told WWJ Newsradio 950's Zahra Huber.

Shaw stressed that only a small amount of blood was found.

"Now we know that she is injured somehow. How badly, we really don't know. But yes, it does give a sense of urgency to us. But we've already been at a heightened state as it is now," Shaw said. "We are working hard to find her and bringing her home right now. So we now know that she needs medical treatment of some type, and we're going to work harder now."

Heeringa disappeared April 26 before she was set to close the station in Norton Shores, near Muskegon.

Her purse was found in the station. The cash register was untouched.

Police have released a description of a silver minivan and a man seen in the area.

Shaw says police continue seeking tips in the case. Exxon Mobil has donated $15,000 to an award fund for a tip leading to an arrest.

Anyone who may information is asked to call 231-733-2691 or 911.

[Catch up on this case]

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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