INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- A labor-intensive task continued Wednesday in eastern Jackson County as authorities are still searching for evidence in the disappearance and death of Summer Shipp.

Shipp, 54, was last seen on Dec. 8, 2004, when she was conducting door-to-door marketing surveys in Independence. Her car was later found nearby.

On Tuesday, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office announced that her remains had been found in the Little Blue River near Highways 78 and 7. Fishermen found a skull on Saturday; investigators later found more bones and clothing wrapped in a fishing line.

KMBC's Peggy Breit reported that a makeshift memorial for Shipp has been set up just across Highway 78 from where investigators have closed off a section of the Little Blue River Trail.

Investigators have enlisted the help of fire and police recruits to walk through the area in a grid search. Part of the river is being dammed up to aid in the search.

Deputy Ronda Montgomery said officials have found numerous items in the area.

"Everything to include footballs, baseballs, baby bottles, stroller wheels, all the way up to clothing and other items, so at this point, we have no way to determine until we look at those items further as to whether or not they're related to this case," Montgomery said.

Shipp's daughter, Brandy, has worked long hours to spread the word of her mother's disappearance. Brandy was overseas when her mother's remains were identified.

"I talked to her father last night. Brandy's kind of in shock right now," said Janice, a family friend.

Janice visited the memorial on Wednesday.

"Just seeing it on the news, you're kind of disconnected from it, so just making it feel like it's a real thing, a horrible thing happened here," Janice said.

Police said they have no suspects right now, but that they are pursuing every possible lead.

On Wednesday, Brandy Shipp e-mailed a statement: "I would like to let you all know I have been receiving your many, many messages. I am on an emotional roller coaster I cannot control. At this point, I am still in shock and much too numb to speak about the current findings. Right now I am out of the country and will be headed back to Kansas City as soon as I can get a flight. Upon my return, I will be in contact with those of you who have called/e-mailed me.

"Although the outcome was not as we had hoped, I want to thank you all for helping keep my mom's story in the public eye since that fateful day she disappeared."

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