Divers find no clues on first day of river search for missing Mauricie woman

Provincial police have called off the search for missing34-year-oldMlissaBlais, whowas last seen leaving a bar inLouiseville, about 10 kilometres west of her home inYamachiche, Que.

Policedivers used sonar equipment on a river in the Mauricieregion, in central Quebec, but had to call off the search at dusk on Thursday. Police say they will reassess Friday morning.

Sret du Qubec spokesperson Sgt. lose Cossette said the divers were first called in after helicopters searched the area and found no sign of Blais's 2011 black Toyota Corolla.

Cossette said several roads run alongside the river, and it's possible that Blais was in an accident.

"It's hard to determine what happened," Cossette told CBC. "Was she disoriented when she left downtown? Did she get lost? We are trying to find out what happened."

Divers in one boat looked for clues along the riverbanks, the others usedsonar to detect forms in the murky brown water.

Jonathan Baril, the father of Blais' eldest child, told Radio-Canada that he suspects foul play.

Blais has green eyes, weighs 145lbs and measures 1.70 metres.