last-ditch attempt to end rumours about her disappearance.

At a Press conference at the New Testament Church of God, Mr. John Woolridge said while he and his wife, Donna, are relying on their faith to get them through the ordeal, rumours linking Chaona's disappearance to Satanism are taking their toll on their eight-year-old daughter, Charmarie.

"Stirring up things that are not fact brings us no closer to the resolution,'' Mr. Woolridge said. "And until there is further definitive facts, I ask that we put this to rest.'' Mr. Woolridge, for the last time publicly, recounted the events of the tragic April 5 morning that his daughter, who has Down's syndrome, disappeared.

"We discovered Chaona missing around 9.45 a.m. and my wife and I began to search with neighbours,'' he said, adding that radio stations were alerted by 10 a.m. and the Police about an half hour later.

By noon a full scale search of St. David's, particularly the Cove Valley area where the Woolridges live, was underway, he said.

"At about 4.30 p.m. Chaona's shoes were found by a water embankment,'' Mr.

Woolridge said. "And about 5 p.m. a tracking dog was called in to sniff the scent of Chaona's clothes. The dog went directly to the spot where her shoes were found.

"Evidence would lead us to believe that she has drowned.'' The Berkeley music teacher said he questioned why Chaona's body did not surface and was told by Police and experienced St. David's fishermen that if Chaona fell into the water while unconscious, her body would not have necessarily surfaced.

He said Chaona's body could have been swept out to sea by the strong currents in the area or submerged underneath caves, deep into the sea.

Mr. Woolridge stressed that Police found no evidence to suggest foul play.

And while he said he and his wife "hold no malice toward the media'', he chastised the Bermuda Times for publishing a "heartless'' article on May 29 which suggested Satanic cults played a role in Chaona's disappearance.

"If they operate from that level, they should change their name from Times to heartless,'' Mr. Woolridge said.

However Mr. Woolridge had nothing but praise for God, his family, friends, neighbours and strangers including Police, US Navy personnel, and concerned residents from all over the Island who "felt the tragedy as if it were their own''.

He also thanked St. Luke's AME Church and the St. David's Cricket Club for providing cooked meals for his family.

"We thank all of those who did not know me or my wife, but were just moved by compassion and searched tirelessly,'' Mr. Woolridge said. "We thank you for your phone calls, hugs, hand shakes, and word of encouragement. People of Bermuda you are a gem and people of St. David's you are the crown of that gem.'' PUTTING AN END TO RUMOURS - Mr. John Woolridge and his wife Donna yesterday.