Police hope that hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts out near the Mississippi River in the next few weeks may be able to spot evidence that will lead them to Mandy Matula, 24, the Eden Prairie woman who disappeared more than four months ago.

Matula was last seen May 1 with her ex-boyfriend. Since then, police have used underwater sonar and K-9s to search Eden Prairie and the Mississippi, especially near St. Cloud, where her ex-boyfriend, David Roe, was studying criminal justice. Roe, 24, was the primary person of interest in the case, but fatally shot himself in the police parking lot when called in for questioning.

Community and police searches have since turned up few leads and little evidence. Last week, police issued an alert reminding the public, especially anyone near "areas of interest" from the Sartell Dam to the Mississippi River County Park, to be mindful of the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 952-949-6200.

KELLY SMITH

@kellystrib