Authorities continue to build levee in search for Mengqi Ji

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

Crews gained ground Thursday on the Lamine River levee construction to aid in the search for Mengqi Ji.

Authorities began building the levee in order to get heavy machinery onto the river in attempt to reach the south column of the Highway 41 bridge where they believe Mengqi Ji may be located.

Columbia public works trucks have been bringing truckload after truckload of boulders from local quarries back to the access point to build the levee.

Officials say human remains dogs have continued to signal near that specific point.

"We are currently working we're not where exactly we want to be right now, but it is a very slow process we are being very methodical in the search, because we want to ensure that the fullest search is completed as possible," said Jeff Pitts, a Columbia Police public information officer.

The project is expected to cost $50,000 including $10,000 which was donated by The Missing Person Support Center.

"We are excited Columbia Police followed leads to the Lamine River & are working hard in hopes of extracting Mengqi Ji's remains," said Della Williams, the founder of The Missing Person Support Group. "The Chinese Community has really been an asset in raising funds & give Mengqi Ji's family a lot of support!"

Officials said authorities will have to take the levee out of the river when the search is over.