No suspects yet in abduction

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Though Corvallis police have interviewed a dozen "persons of interest," none can be considered suspects in the disappearance of a 19-year-old Brigham Young University student, Corvallis police department Lt. Ron Noble said at a Thursday press conference.

Brooke Wilberger vanished earlier this week from an apartment complex where her sister lives, leaving behind a pair of flip-flops in a parking lot.

More than 450 tips have been received from around the country, Noble said, and police are continuing to interview sex offenders in two Oregon counties, but still have no solid leads.

Some of those tips have led police to Utah because of Wilberger's BYU connections.

"We're conducting this as a major crime and suspects are determined the same way," said Noble. "We're not overlooking anyone."

The Wilberger family has been in contact with Ed Smart since Wednesday morning, getting advice on how to keep their daughter's name in the media and on coping with her disappearance.

Tom Smart, Ed Smart's brother, said one thing the Smarts have advised the woman's family is to get some sleep, even if it requires medication.

"They're at the point right now, three days into it, where they have to get some sleep, just medicating to make yourself go to sleep," he said.

"The main thing is just not to give up hope."

The Smarts also helped the Wilbergers contact the "America's Most Wanted" television program and the National Center for Missing Children, and informed them of a Department of Justice handbook for the families of missing children.

Smart complimented the family on its handling of the media.

"They've done a great job so far, getting out in the media what a great girl she was and making sure everyone knows it's not a hoax."

He said the family is doing "extremely well," considering the situation.

Smart said though it's a bit hard for his family to deal with the deja vu, the family is thankful to be able to help.

"We had other families of missing children come help us, and we're just happy to be able to do the same thing for them," he said.