Family holds prayer vigil to honor missing Louisville woman Andrea Knabel

A Saturday evening prayer vigil at St. Stephen Martyr Church honored Andrea Knabel, a single mother who went missing in Louisville over five months ago.

Since Aug. 13, 2019, numerous leads, persons of interest and possible sightings in the Louisville area and Southern Indiana have turned up nothing, but Saturday's vigil was proof that Knabel's loved ones still have faith.

"The waves keep coming. You have emotions you didn't know that you had," Mike Knabel, Andrea's father, said after Saturday's vigil. "It keeps coming, and it will not stop until we find some sort of resolution."

Knabel, a 37-year-old mother of two children, disappeared in the early morning hours of Aug. 13 after walking to her mother's home on Chickadee Road in Audubon Park, where she had also been living.

More:As reward goes up in Andrea Knabel case, new details shed more light on her disappearance

According to family, Andrea had been going through tough times in the months prior to disappearing.

But the lack of answers on her whereabouts since August has left loved ones only able to speculate on where she could have gone and where she could be now.

A team of private investigators along with family, friends and volunteers from around the country have tirelessly searched for Andrea in the months since she was last seen.

A $5,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts as well as a $100 reward for taking a photo of her if you believe you see her also remains in play, according to Erin Knabel, Andrea's sister.

Mike Knabel said that support from others along with prayer and "any sort of spirituality that you have" is a source of strength and support.

"That's what keeps us going and provides the energy to keep us going and be hopeful," he said.

Saturday's roughly 30-minute prayer vigil inside the church featured a packed crowd, candle lighting, scripture readings and also a time to honor other "families in crisis."

Erin Knabel said "so many people" with loved ones also missing have reached out to her family since Andrea disappeared.

"They are in the exact same situation as us and you really feel the emotions that they have," Erin Knabel said. "And you feel a connection to them now since we're kind of suffering in the same way that they are ... You just start to worry more as time passes and try to hold onto as much hope as you can and make sure everybody keeps her in their minds."

Andrea's aunt, Karen Raby, spoke during the vigil about how all families with missing loved ones may feel a sense of guilty, shame or anger while searching for the lost persons.

"Nothing will ever take away (Andrea's) unique and special gifts," Raby said. "We've all been cheated by her not being here."

After Saturday's vigil concluded inside St. Stephen Martyr Church, 2931 Pindell Ave., attendees followed Mike and Erin Knabel outside and walked down Chickadee Road to near where Andrea was last seen before turning around and heading back to the church.

More:Savannah Spurlock's family turns tragedy into advocacy for missing persons

Erin Knabel reminded those who think they may see Andrea to try to take a photo of her and immediately call 911 and private investigator Tracy Leonard at 502-618-9337.

Erin Knabel said Saturday's vigil reminded her that "so many people care" about Andrea.

"It makes me definitely hopeful," Erin Knabel said. "that she will be back soon."

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com or 502-582-7030. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.