INDIAN RIVER CO. Fla. --
Investigators were searching a canal, Friday, in western Indian River County after the discovery of new evidence in the case of missing Malabar firefighter.
Palm Bay police said several fishermen found Brandy Hall's backpack in the canal. Hall disappeared last August. Police said they don't know how the bag got there or how long it has been there.
The discovery does, however, provide new hope for a family who has had little to cling to.
Hall was last seen leaving the Malabar fire station last August. The backpack is the first major discovery in the case in almost a year.
Several fishermen reportedly found the backpack with several of Hall's personal possessions inside, including some clothing and something that had her name on it. The fishermen searched her name online and contacted the sheriff's office when they realized who she was.
The last major piece of evidence in the case, before the bag was discovered, was found the day after her disappearance. Her truck was found next to a local pond with blood on the front seat. Dive teams searched the pond, but police have remained tightlipped about the investigation and any clues they've found, even with Hall's own family.
Hall's family hopes the new lead helps bring the case back into the spotlight. The family also announced, Friday, the reward money for any information on Brandy's disappearance is being raised from $1,000 to $10,000, which includes $2,500 raised by family and friends at a rummage sale. The rest comes from Crimeline and the city.
One thing police will say is that they have not found any evidence indicating whether Brandy is dead or alive. They are categorizing their investigation as a missing person, possible homicide.
