Vigil held for missing St. John's woman

A quiet vigil was held Tuesday night in western Newfoundland for a woman who vanished from her home in St. John's more than two weeks ago.

Ann Marie Shirran, 32, was last seen July 18 at her home in the Kilbride area of St. John's. A subsequent ground search found no clues to indicate her whereabouts.

More than 100 friends, family and supporters gathered on the Majestic lawn in Corner Brook on Tuesday night to keep Shirran in their thoughts and prayers. Shirran, formerly known as Ann Marie Baggs, had lived in nearby Steady Brook.

Krista Brake, one of the organizers, said candlelight is an important symbol for friends to share as they await Shirran's return.

"Back in the old days they would light a candle and put it in the window for someone to come home and I think that's probably... it's just the comfort of it," Brake told CBC News.

"Everyone standing together, lighting the candles in the hopes that wherever she is, she'll come home."

Claire White, who grew up with Shirran, said the disappearance of an old friend has really hit hard.

"It's hard to think about, that something like this could happen, that somebody could just go for a walk and then nobody hear from them again," she said.

"It's hard to think we could have no idea what happened."

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has issued several calls for public help in locating Shirran, and posters with her photo have been distributed across St. John's and have appeared in the Corner Brook area.

Police have described Shirran as being about six feet tall, weighing about 170 pounds and having brown-auburn hair. She was last seen wearing black capri pants, a white sleeveless top and flip-flops.