Reality TV Star To Join Search For Missing Bemidji Woman

Family members say a reality TV star will join the search for a missing Bemidji woman. Police are still searching for Rose Downwind.

Downwind is originally from Redby on the Red Lake Nation, but she'd recently been staying in Bemidji. She last made contact with a family member, while talking to her sister at this Target store a week ago Monday. Her biological mother and friends gathered here today to discuss the case.

Reporter: "Do you think it's like her to take off like this?"

Darla Banks, Downwind's Biological Mother: "It's unlike her to do any of this... not call me or take off on her children."

Police Chief Mike Mastin says they're getting a lot of tips from folks of possible sightings of Downwind all over the State. However, he says so far, none of those leads have panned out."

Mike Mastin, Bemidji Police Chief: "As in most cases, one tip will leas into another tip and continues to grow the investigation, that's what's happening here."

Reporter: "Nothing concrete yet as to where to physically look for her?"

Mastin: "Correct, we have some tips of where she might be, but nothing concrete saying where she is."

The last solid lead of Downwind's whereabouts is from an ex-boyfriend, who told police he saw Downwind leaving a home on this street last week. Her Grandfather, American Indian Movement founder Dennis Banks says, he's not worried about the ex-boyfriend, but the biological father of 4 of Downwind's 5 children.

Dennis Banks, Downwind's Grandfather: "It was always, she was in jail, then he was in jail. The last time he physically picked her up and threw her against an iron fence. I might have been thinking there has been foul play. But at this point, there's nothing for me to go on that there is really foul play."

Meanwhile, family members say reality TV star, Dog the Bounty Hunter is coming to Bemidji to help with the search as a favor to his friend, Dennis Banks. Dog specializes in finding bail jumpers and missing people.

Rose Downwind is wanted on an arrest warrant in Bemidji for a misdemeanor charge of Disorderly Conduct. However, family members say she wouldn't be hiding because of that charge.

If you have any information regarding this case, you're asked to contact Bemidji Police at: 218-333-9111.