FBI searches Jessica Ridgeway’s home

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — The family of Jessica Ridgeway left her home in Westminster at about noon Tuesday to speak out for the first time since the 10-year-old’s disappearance Friday morning.

When they left the house, a team of FBI agents arrived. It looked like a coordinated arrival to reporters who were there.

The FBI’s evidence response team went inside to conduct a meticulous search of the home, which is the last place she was seen.

“The family has cooperated,” says Westminster police spokesman Investigator Trevor Materasso.

Police say Jessica’s family members are not suspects in her disappearance. Even so, agents were careful not to contaminate the scene as they covered their shoes and wore gloves.

One agent took a ladder inside, and as each hour passed, there were few visible clues about what FBI agents were looking for or what they found.

More than two hours later agents brought out evidence concealed in brown bags. One bag was particularly large and long, but only a select group of agents and investigators  knew what was inside.