Daughter Of Missing Lorton Woman Pleads For Help: Report

LORTON, VA — The daughter of a missing Lorton woman is pleading with the public to come forward if they have information about the whereabouts of her mother, who has been reported missing for almost three weeks.

The missing woman, 72-year-old Emily Lu, was last seen at a grocery store in Woodbridge around 7:50 p.m. on June 3. Lu arrived home from the grocery store but did not bring inside all of her groceries, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

The police department has uncovered evidence suggesting Lu may have been harmed inside her home. At a news conference on June 15, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said the department's homicide unit is now investigating Lu's disappearance. He noted that detectives did not find evidence of forced entry at her home.

“She’s the kindest, most generous woman who would do anything to help others,” Jenny Ball, Lu’s daughter, told NBC News. “All I ask is to please come forward if you know anything. Do the right thing and reach out. Say something.”

Emily Lu, a native of Taiwan, moved to the United States in the 1970s after marrying a serviceman stationed overseas. Ball lives in Arkansas, where she grew up and where her father still lives. Her parents are now divorced. Ball told NBC News that she still regularly speaks to her mother by phone.

Ball told NBC News that the last time she spoke with her mother was on June 3. She called to check in on her mother and there was no indication that her mother was worried about anything.

After retiring from a career in software development, Lu continued to work as a caregiver for seniors.

When Lu failed to show up for work on June 4, her employer at Home Instead Senior Care requested a welfare check by the Fairfax County Police Department.

Lu's car was discovered in the driveway with groceries recently purchased from a nearby store. Fairfax County officers checked the home and spoke with neighbors but were unable to find her.

The Fairfax County Police Department said last week that a $20,000 reward is now being offered through Crime Solvers for information related to the disappearance of Lu.

Fairfax County police said Lu was last seen at the Aldi grocery store at 1329 Gordon Plaza in Woodbridge around 7:50 p.m. on June 3. Lu arrived home from the grocery store but did not bring inside all of her groceries.

The department provided video footage of Lu's visit to Aldi on June 3.

Visit the NBC News website to read an interview with Jenny Ball, Emily Lu’s daughter.

Anyone with information about Emily Lu is asked to contact the department's Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type "FCCS" plus tip to 847411, and by web. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.

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