A Whitley County woman's family is fearing the worst after police were unable to find her during a second day of searching Thursday.

Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges remained tight-lipped on the status of the investigation, declining to say whether foul play was suspected in the disappearance of 49-year-old Debra Houser. The mother of three was reported missing Wednesday by an acquaintance who walked into the sheriff's department, the sheriff said.

Nearly 50 law enforcement officers from several area departments searched on foot and used four-wheelers and a helicopter, scouring a 4-square-mile area around her rural home, Hodges said. A command post has been established at the Richland Township Fire Department.

Houser's home at 4041 Old Trail Road, near County Road 400 West just west of Columbia City, was searched Wednesday, along with a 2-square-mile radius surrounding the building.

Houser's family, meanwhile, has many questions.

"I think everybody is trying to hold out hope that maybe she is just hurt somewhere," said older sister Karen Caprioni of Fort Wayne. "But right now it doesn't look like that."

Caprioni said her family has been in contact with police since Houser went missing but have received few details.

Caprioni said her sister had been living "on and off" with her ex-husband for about five years after their divorce. The couple were married about three years, she said, and have a 10-year-old son. The child is staying with family, the sheriff said Wednesday.

Houser and her ex-husband had been renting the Old Trail Road home, Caprioni said.

Hodges said a man was being held for questioning, but he declined to say Thursday whether that man had been charged or whether he was in custody.

The sheriff said previously that the case was considered a "severe situation" but declined to clarify what that meant. He directed further questions to Whitley County Prosecutor Matt Rentschler. A receptionist at his office said he was not available Thursday, and a message left for Rentschler was not returned.

A Silver Alert, which is a missing-person alert for adults, has not been issued for Houser.

"She would do probably anything for anybody," Caprioni said, adding that her younger sister is outgoing and personable.

Houser, whose sisters said she is better known by her maiden name of Debra Nicholson, was born in Harlan and attended Woodlan High School in Woodburn. She also has two grown children and has enjoyed cooking in her spare time.

"It's been this long, … we're pretty sure that she's gone," said younger sister Kathy Nicholson of Harlan. "I think some of it's just disbelief and knowing that reality will hit any minute."

habrams@jg.net

Update

The missing woman's ex-husband was charged with murder Friday morning. To see the story, click here.