Reward Raised for Zuzu Verk, Grand Jury Proceeding Held

Note: Cameron Niblock and Stephanie Lindgren contributed to to this story.

ALPINE, TX – It has been almost a week since Zuzu Renne Verk, a student of Sul Ross State University, has gone missing. The Alpine Police Department gave Zuzu’s description in a Facebook post as a 22-year-old white female, approximately 5 feet tall, 110 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Zuzu’s mother, Lori Verk, talked to local news outlets earlier this week stating that Zuzu went out to the movies last Tuesday night with a group of friends and an on-again-off-again boyfriend. Since learning of Zuzu’s disappearance, fliers have been posted within Apline city. Many residents and friends have also been showing their support for Zuzu by posting fliers throughout surrounding cities as well. Law enforcement across West Texas have also been searching for any sign of Zuzu.

[[{"fid":"24997","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Zuzu Verk from her Facebook page. (Facebook)","title":"Zuzu Verk from her Facebook page. (Facebook)","height":"675","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-preview imgbody"}}]]
Above: Zuzu Verk from her Facebook page. (Facebook)

ZuZu’s father sent Zuzu a short message through Alpine’s CBS 7 News saying, “We all want you safe, and we want you home as soon as you can get here. We all love you”.

Alpine Police Department announced yesterday afternoon that they are now offering a $17,500 reward for any information that may help them in finding the whereabouts or safe return of Zuzu Verk. 

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Alpine Police Department at (432) 837-3486. 

Update: October 21

There will be a Press Conference today at 11:30 a.m. in the Brewster County Emergency Operations Center, in Alpine, Texas. A press release from the Alpine Police Department said this will provide an update on the search and investigation into missing Alipine student, Zuzu Verk. 

Update: October 21

Alpine Police officials said during today's press conference that the person of interest is not cooperating and now has a lawyer, according to FOX4News.com. When addressing the media at the conference, Alpine Police made it clear that they are holding up hope in finding 22-year-old Zuzu Verk.

The reward has been increased to $100,000 for information leading to Zuzu Verke's location, or safe retrieval. 

Update: October 22 by Cameron Niblock

Alpine Police Department officials are seeking additional information related to the disappearance of Zuzu Verk. The vehicle shown below, provided by a press release, is in custody of the Alpine Police Department. 

Officials said a search warrant has been obtained, and a forensic team is now processing the vehicle for evidence. Law Enforcement officers are seeking information about this vehicle’s movement during the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 12.

The vehicle is described a 2005 Ford F-150, grey in color, and may have had the magnetic decals removed during the time in question.

If you have any information, please contact Alpine Police at (432)837-3486.

Update: October 23 

Alpine Police Department is seeking additional information on another vehicle related to the disappearance of Zuzu Verk. The vehicle shown below, provided by a press release, is in custody of the Alpine Police Department. 

[[{"fid":"25139","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"White Mustang in custody by Alpine Police (Photo by: Alpine Police Department )","height":"675","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-preview"}}]]

Investigators believe this vehicle is a key piece of evidence in this case. Anyone with information about seeing this white 2016 Ford Mustang being driven between the hours of midnight on Wednesday, October 12, through Thursday morning on October 13, please contact police.

[[{"fid":"25140","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Front view of white Mustang. (Photo by: Alpine Police Department) ","height":"675","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-preview"}}]]

The Alpine Police can be reached at (432)837-3486.

Update October 26:

Alpine police have named Robert Fabian, Zuzu Verk's boyfriend, as a suspect in the disappearance of the missing Alpine student. The press release mentioned Fabian's family and Chris Estrada are also people of interest in the investigation.

To date, the estimated search crew have covered 435 miles by air, and a combination of individual personnel have accumulated 1,714 miles, according to an Alpine Police Department press release. Investigators continue to ask if anyone has any information leading to the safe retrieval of Zuzu Verk, to please contact the Alpine Police at (432)837-3486.

Update November 16

The search for Zuzu Verk is still underway. The reward amount has now been raised to $200,000. 

This newest contribution has been raised and came from H-E-B. A spokesperson from the H-E-B/Central Market family said that they were concerned about their employee Glenn Verk, Zuzu's father. They also added that they are fully committed to supporting the family in any way they can. 

CBS 7 also added that the spokesperson said, "The commitment, which came from H-E-B Chairman Chales Butt, is an example of their commitment to bring Zuzu home."

Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson advised that the searches are now being focused to tips law enforcement receive. CBS 7 said, "On Monday, crews searched five different locations after receiving tips of suspicious circumstances, which turned out to be grass that had been punched down after search teams had gone through the area previosly."

As of yesterday, a grand jury in Alpine, Texas, is done hearing evidence about the missing Zuzu Verk case. So far, there have not been any indictments that have come from the proceedings.

KTXS has been checking with the Alpine Police Department and were told that APD could not tell them if the grand jury proceedings will help APD with their current investigation finding Verk.

District Attorney Rod Ponton, recused himself from the investigation. Taking his place in Geoff Barr of the Texas Attorney General's office.

As before, Robert Fabian, Zuzu's boyfriend is still the prime suspect in the case. 

KTXS stated, "Alpine police said no matter what the outcome of the grand jury proceedings are, they do not have plans to stop searching for Zuzu until she is found."

For any information about the disappearance of Zuzu Verk, call the Alpine Police at (432)837-3486.