FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 20, 2001

Parent of Missing Volunteer Visiting Bolivia

Washington, D.C., June 20, 2001—Mrs. Sheila Poirier, the mother of missing Peace Corps Volunteer Walter Poirier, and her sister, Mrs. Genevieve Flaherty, are traveling to Bolivia at the invitation of the Peace Corps. Peace Corps and the US Embassy are hosting the family members during their visit to Bolivia to help in the ongoing investigation and search for Walter. Mrs. Poirier and her sister will meet with U. S. Ambassador V. Manuel Rocha, and attend briefings by U. S. Embassy staff, investigative personnel and Peace Corps staff who have been connected with the three month search for the missing Volunteer. They will also meet with some Peace Corps Volunteers who were close friends of Walter, and visit places in La Paz, El Alto and the Zongo Valley where Walter was assigned. Peace Corps is deeply saddened by the circumstances surrounding Walter’s disappearance, and continue to participate actively in the ongoing search and investigation to determine his whereabouts and well-being.

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