When she didn't pick her three children up from daycare about a month ago, her family knew something was wrong. But little did they know, they might never talk to Melanie Metheny again.

The 21-year-old from Belle vanished without a trace on August 19th. It's been a sleepless month filled with tireless searches that have turned up empty.

Life may never be the same for Melanie Metheny's father.

“This is something you hear about on unsolved mysteries or something,” said Metheny. “This is not something that happens to you or your family. This is all new to me.”

For nearly a month, Jimmy Metheny, family, and friends have been searching for his 21-year-old daughter not knowing where to look.

The pain for her father is clear. Understanding his angst is unimaginable.

“There are people who are never found,” said Metheny. “I've got to look at that reality.”

The reality of only finding Melanie’s body has been a cold one. Just three weeks ago, a woman’s body was found in Jackson County, and just last week, one in wood. Neither of them was Melanie.

The latest one was a Metheny, but as it turns out, it was Sherry Metheny. Then, there have been the sightings. Along Kanawha Boulevard and at a west end hardware store not far from where her van was found.

“I've never known her to be on the west side, so it just baffles me,” said Metheny.

So now, a weary father and a family wait for answers they might not ever get.

The family is hoping anyone with information will turn it over to authorities. If you know anything, you are asked to call your local police department.