Friends, Loved Ones Create Facebook Pages for Missing Peconic Teen

Since news spread that 16-year-old Ashley Murray went missing Monday morning, the North Fork community and caring residents across the East End and beyond have come together in an outpouring of concern and love, desperate to bring her home safely.

On Tuesday, friends created a Facebook page, "Ashley Come Home," filled with messages, photos, and shared information, gathered in the hope of helping to find her.

Hundreds of Facebook users have shared Ashley's photo and her story, working together to light the teen's path back to her family.

The message that resonates, loud and strong, is simple: "Ashley, you are loved. We miss you."

"I remember the first day I met Ashley. I sat on the bus alone every day and one day Ashley sat next to me and said, 'I always see you alone and no one should ever be alone,'" one friend wrote. "Ashley was bullied every day yet she still cared for people. She didn't let the pain others caused turn her into a person full of hatred towards all people, she still had hope and I admire that."

"We all hope you're safe. I know in my heart you are," another friend wrote.

Kristina Gale wrote, "Beautiful girl! (((HUGS))) and best wishes that she returns home safely."

Another, friend, David Ray Vlacci, remembered the first time he met Ashley. "I love you so much, Ashley, and I miss you and I hope that you are safe right now. I just want you to come home so that I can see your beautiful face again."

Rachel Wells, another of Ashley's friends, wrote, "All that keeps replaying in my head is that time at the Strawberry Festival this past summer when I was just looking around and I saw you and you came running over to me with the prettiest smile, screaming my name, and giving me the biggest hug ever. I wish I could just hug you again. You are absolutely perfect Ashley♥."

Others posted a flyer about Ashley on the "Missing" Facebook page.

Ashley's mom, Charlotte Murray, said her daughter left a suicide note, which claimed she was upset with the world, mentioning a "watery grave" and a stranger "taking her to a deep abyss."

Murray said her daughter had been posting dark Facebook status updates, saying that she was "no longer afraid," and "was just going to do it."

RELATED: Peconic Teen Still Missing; Search Continues

Southold Police were on the scene near Murray's Peconic home Monday with a dive team and search dogs. By Monday night, the physical search had been called off and an "investigative search" continued.

The teen was still missing as of Tuesday night, with nothing new to report, said Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley. "Hopefully, tomorrow," he said.

Her daughter, Murray said, left with no money but had her iPhone. The phone, however, has no signal and cannot be traced. Murray said it could be turned off or under water – a mother's greatest fear.

"The worst part was when it got dark last night," she said. "I just thought, 'She should come home now. It's nighttime.' I don't know if she got to sleep in a bed last night or if she's in the back of a car," her mom said.

When last seen, Ashley, who is 5'4 and 140 pounds, with auburn hair, was wearing red baggy sweat pants, and a black-and-gray corduroy zippered sweatshirt with a hood.

Her daughter, Murray said, left without phone chargers, medication for her anemia, clothes or even a toothbrush.

Murray said her daughter's last text, to another girl, was sent from Southold and also mentioned suicide.

On Monday morning, officers began a missing persons' search.

The call came in at approximately 10:45 a.m. Monday, Flatley said. Searches were conducted near the area where the teen resides, he added, including a flyover search of the Peconic Bay.

"We're hoping we or family members can make contact with her so we know she's accounted for," Flatley said.