McCluskey reward up to $25,000

This story was published in The Modesto Bee on Nov. 30, 1999

MODESTO - Donna Raley is searching for peace.

She worked on Thanksgiving Day, said she doesn't have the energy or heart to put a Christmas tree in her home, and she continues to spend countless hours searching for her daughter, Dena McCluskey.

McCluskey, also known as Dena Raley, 36, disappeared Oct. 10, leaving few clues for investigators and no peace for her family.

"I just want to know where Dena's at," her mother said.

To help in the search, the Raley family on Monday announced it has added $15,000 to the McCluskey reward fund, which is now at $25,000. Last month, the Carole Sund-Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation sponsored the initial $10,000 reward.

McCluskey's boyfriend reported her missing Oct. 13. The next day, police found her 1987 Nissan Stanza on Oakdale Road in northeast Modesto. McCluskey's keys and purse were missing from the unlocked car.

"What it's really going to take is for somebody to come forward," police spokesman Kelly Huston said Monday. "We never lose hope."