Police continue searching for missing dispatcher

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, AR - The Hot Springs Village police director says he's treating the disappearance of a police dispatcher about one week ago as a missing persons case.

"At this point we do not have a case to be prosecuted."

Hot Springs Village Police Director A.L. Cornett says the disappearance of mother of three and police dispatcher Dawna Natzke qualifies as nothing more than a missing persons case. No one's seen Natzke since December 21, but the US Forest Service found her car burnt in the woods.

Police found the burned car on a trail which is just off HWY 298. There wasn’t much left of it.

And that concerns Natzke's friends, like Patty Hathaway. She says it’s not like Natzke to just disappear, and that's why she suspects foul play.

"I'm trying to have faith in the police," Hathaway said.

But while Hathaway may have faith in the police, she's losing faith that her friend is still alive. Now, she’s giving up one hope in exchange for another.

"Justice. Put her at rest,” Hathaway said. “I wish she was alive first and foremost, but I'm not thinking that right now."

Natzke's boyfriend was the last to see her at her home on December 21. She’s been a police dispatcher since 2004. Hot Springs Village Police say they have not asked the FBI or the Arkansas State Police for help in the case, but they have reached out to the Garland County and Saline County Sheriff's Offices.