Authorities Make Grim Discovery in Search for Missing Indiana Mother

A human foot discovered by fishermen belongs to an Indiana mother who disappeared on March 15 after leaving for work, police said Wednesday.

The gruesome find took place in a northwest section of the state, where two men fishing along the banks of a pond encountered the dismembered appendage, said Brian Nugent of the Avon Police Department. "This is truly the worst outcome" for the family of 30-year-old Najah Ferrell, who had two sons and three foster children.

Her relatives are distraught over the discovery, he said.

Investigators traveled to Crown Point, where the foot was found and identified it by showing photos of the limb to her family, Nugent said. A tattoo spelling her name was also on the foot.

Crown Point Police Department specialists are sweeping the lake with sonar equipment and cadaver dogs are being used to search nearby woods, Nugent said.

Detectives are scouring hours of surveillance videos from various locations and police reiterated their pleas for help from the public in trying to establish a timeline of the woman's last hours.

There are no persons of interest thus far in the investigation, Nugent said.

Ferrell had left her home about 3 a.m. on the last day she was seen, police said. She had just started a new job at a Panera sandwich franchise. 

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