Fiona Pender was last seen in Tullamore nearly 29 years ago.
Searches are continuing on bog land in Offaly today as part of the upgraded investigation into the murder of Fiona Pender.
The 25 year old who was 7 months pregnant was last seen at her flat in Tullamore in August 1996.
Yesterday land in a rural area near Killeigh village was sealed off, it will be technically and forensically examined in the coming days.
Gardaí had long suspected Ms Pender was murdered and had a chief suspect, but the case was, until recently, a missing persons investigation.
Investigators now say that based "on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team", the case has been reclassified as murder.
The Irish Aviation Authority has imposed a no fly zone for drones in the area while the search is carried out.
Reports indicate a lead picked up abroad, has brought gardaí to this week's developments.
There's a lot of people across the midlands hoping for a resolution to the Fiona Pender case, according to her brother.
Gardaí and forensic experts are currently searching a remote bogland in the Graigue area of Killeigh.
The sire is around 10km away from were Fiona Pender was last seen - a flat on Church Street in Tullamore on 23 August 1996.
John Pender says from the day she disappeared, there's always been huge support for his family:
A former detective says he's confident Fiona Pender's murder case can be solved if her remains are discovered.
Mullingar's Pat Marry says if that lead brings them to solid evidence, it could be the break in the case that's needed:
Gearoid Keegan, Deputy Editor of the Tullamore Tribune, says Gardaí have cordoned off certain sections of land from the public:
Aoife Masterson is an Offaly County Councillor who grew up in Tullamore, she says Fiona's disappearance has had a lasting impact on the community:
Read more: Gardaí Upgrade Fiona Pender Investigation To Murder Case
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