Missing Oregon Mother May Have Been Spotted Aboard Ferry

Jennifer Huston

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Police are following up on a possible sighting of a 38-year-old missing Oregon woman, Jennifer Huston, boarding a car ferry in Washington – 300 miles from where she was last seen on July 24, pumping gas at a Circle K and buying snacks and over-the-counter sleeping pills from Rite-Aid in Newburg, Oregon.

A couple told police they spotted a woman fitting her description – a blonde female in her 30s in a car that matched the make and model of Hudson's green Lexus, even down to the cracked window – on board a ferry from Anacortes, Washington, to the San Juan Islands.

"The information that we've received is that there was a female on the boat, on the 9 o'clock ferry sailing from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on Thursday morning, July 31," San Juan County Undersheriff Bruce Distler told KPTV Fox12 Oregon.

The witnesses also described the married mother of two as having a white Band-Aid on her left cheek.

"It's not something that's just another tip, it's something that is serious enough that we're gonna take a look at it and make sure everything pans out," said Distler.

The Washington State Ferry office and San Juan Sheriff deputies are recovering internal surveillance tapes, so they can confirm whether the woman is Hudson.

Police called off the search in Yamhill County, Oregon, Friday after several aerial searches found no trace of Hudson.

"It's been an emotional time for the family. Lots of ups and downs," Kallen Huston, Jennifer's husband, told Portland's KATU on Sunday morning. "These leads get us excited for a short bit, then reality sets back in and it's been difficult."

The couple have two boys, aged 6 and 2.

Kallen said he didn't know yet whether the new lead is credible, adding that he and Jennifer have vacationed "many times" in the San Juans.

Huston's father, Bill Turner, told the station he believes Jennifer is still in Oregon. "I believe she's within 25 miles of Newberg," Turner said.

On Saturday, police in her hometown of Dundee, Oregon, and 20 of Hudson's closest family and friends passed out fliers and continued ground search efforts.

"Jennifer, if you could see this or hear this, I love you. You have a ton of support from the community. If you can come home, please do. The boys need you. I need you. I love you," Kallen Houston, Jennifer's husband, pleaded to her at a Friday press conference. "We'll never stop looking for you."