After two days of excavating the porch and yard of a Cullman County home, sheriff’s deputies did not find any new evidence related to the disappearance of local woman Tabitha Franklin.

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office spent Friday and Saturday excavating at a County Road 1136 home in search of evidence related to the disappearance of the 29-year-old woman, who has been missing for almost five years.

Franklin, 29, of Cullman disappeared on Aug. 8, 2009. At the time of her disappearance she had blond hair, was 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed approximately 140 pounds. Initial reports indicate Franklin was traveling to Hueytown at the time of her disappearance to meet with family, though she never arrived.

Cullman County Sheriff Mike Rainey said evidence indicated some new evidence in the case, could have been buried at the site. But, nothing was recovered from the search.

“We received indications from the dogs, and from ground penetrating radar, telling us there was a likelihood of evidence,” he said. “But, after excavating the area of the front porch, we made the disheartening discovery that there is no evidence at this location. Once we’d reached solid ground, we could tell it hadn’t been disturbed.”

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating the case for five years, and Rainey said it will remain an active investigation.

“We’re just hopeful this search will let everyone know this is an ongoing case, and we ask if anyone has any information to please contact the sheriff’s office.”

Since no evidence was found at the dig site, Rainey noted the sheriff’s office will have the porch repaired.

“That’s typical of any search warrant, if nothing is discovered you take care of any damage,” he said.

In the years since Franklin’s disappearance, her family has worked tirelessly to keep the case active and raise awareness about missing persons cases in and around the State of Alabama.

Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 134.