CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Police are searching for a 42-year-old woman from south suburban Calumet City who has been missing since Saturday.
On Friday, police Chief Ed Gilmore said the search is moving toward a criminal investigation. Officials suspect that foul play may have been involved in the disappearance of Gena Chiodo, of the 1300 block of Price Avenue in Calumet City.
"Potentially there may be some foul play involved," said Gilmore. "Don't know that, we're hoping to find her alive and well, but we have to move the investigation along."
Gena was last seen at her home Oct. 13, according to a missing persons alert issued Thursday by Calumet City police.
The alert describes Chiodo as a 5-feet-4, 145-pound white woman with light skin, brown eyes and blond hair.
Her vehicle and house keys were left at her home, according to the alert.
Two former roommates are concerned about what they call an abusive relationship Chiodo was involved in.
"I knew he was abusing her," said Michelle Mack, a close friend to Gena. "And I talked to her so many times that this was my fear. That this could happen."
Although police acknowledge Chiodo has a boyfriend, they say there are no suspects in this case and no one has been charged with any wrong doing."
At this point, friends only care about finding out where she is.
"She was a person that you can go to and laugh and have fun with and she would never hurt anybody," said Donna Wuchter, who has known Chiodo for eleven years. "We just want to get the word out that she's out there and we need help finding her."
Anyone with information regarding Chiodo's whereabouts should call the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force at (708) 868-2500 or the Calumet City police at (708) 868-2500.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
