The husband of a missing White City woman has contacted police, assuring them his three children are safe with family in California.
However, Ryan Scott Burke, 28, did not divulge the whereabouts of his wife, Candy Burke, who disappeared last Friday, Jackson County sheriff's Detective Sgt. Colin Fagan said.
"Burke told us the children are in a safe place," Fagan added. "However, we are continuing to make efforts to confirm that."
Burke fled the state with his three boys, Dodge, 4, Thomas, 3 and Harley, 2, last Friday, after his wife's family told him they had called the police with concerns over her safety.
There was no sign of Candy at the home when her brother, Steven Marshal, approached him in the driveway However, her wheelchair and walker were left behind. Strangely, a heavy green sofa chair had been removed from the living room. Family members said the chair was in the room the previous day.
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"We have to assume she's alive until we know she's dead," Fagan said.
Candy Burke, 24, who suffers from a disease that left her unable to walk, was last seen by her family Thursday evening. They fear Ryan Burke may have killed their daughter, based on the couple's abusive relationship. Medford police arrested Burke in 2001 for allegedly trying to strangle his wife with an electrical cord. The charges were later dropped, Medford police Lt. Tim George said.
Fagan said he didn't want to hamper the investigation by giving away many details of the detectives' conversation with Burke. He declined to comment on whether they spoke to Burke by phone or in person.
Candy Burke is no stranger to the sheriff's office. Fagan said he dealt with her several times when he was a patrol deputy.
"Candy has had a tragic life," he said, referring to the disease she contracted when she was 17 and being the victim of a sexual assault for which a man went to jail.
Detectives spent the entire weekend searching for the missing family. They checked hospitals and shelters to no avail. Fagan said he sent out word to patrol deputies to look out for Burke's white Ford station wagon.
Anyone with information is asked to call Fagan at 774-6815.
Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail cconrad@mailtribune.com.
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