ASHLAND, Ohio — Businesses in the hometown of an Ohio woman who disappeared during a North Carolina vacation are offering more than $7,000 in rewards for information about the whereabouts of the woman or her boyfriend.

Authorities say 33-year-old Lynn Jackenheimer of Ashland went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina last week with her boyfriend, Nate Summerfield, and her two children but didn't return with them. Summerfield's brother called police to say Summerfield told him he strangled the woman.

Police said Summerfield returned his girlfriend's children to Ohio and left them with his family.

Jackenheimer has been missing since July 4. Police are looking for Summerfield, who's described as a person of interest.

The Ashland Times-Gazette (http://bit.ly/Nly56R ) reports Jackenheimer's employer and other businesses have pledged rewards in an effort to get information.

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Information from: Ashland Times-Gazette, http://www.times-gazette.com

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July 11, 2012 08:41 AM EDT

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