If a voice can sound sad, weary, and optimistic at the same time, it is Dave Clark's.

His daughter, Holly Ellsworth-Clark, has been missing since last being seen near her Sanford Avenue North home on Jan. 11.

Despite weeks of searching, and extensive media attention on the mystery of the vanished 27-year-old musician, her photo and description remain on the Hamilton police missing persons webpage.

Family and friends from Calgary have been here for weeks trying to find her.

And now, Clark says, it's time to return home. Clark, and Holly's mother, Greta Ellsworth, will fly back to Calgary in the next week.

"We'll be on our way, and relying on the people of Hamilton to find Holly for us, if she's still there."

A digital billboard on King Street East displays an appeal for more information on the disappearance of Holly Ellsworth-Clark. | athie Coward/Hamilton Spectator file photo

But Clark said someone from their search team will remain in Hamilton, and he stressed he is confident their daughter is alive.

"We really would like to find her just to make sure she's well."

In a phone interview, Clark told The Spectator the family has seen footage that supports such hope: a video taken Feb. 3 showing a woman walking north of Barton Street East, near Wentworth Street North, on Shaw Street.

Clark said it is of a woman, her face obscured, walking past one of the missing person posters for Holly. But he said police did not confirm it is her.

"You can see her gait, and pattern of dress, and aspects of her physique, her height. It's all consistent."

Clark spoke on the phone with The Spectator Saturday from London, Ont., after yet another day visiting shelters to tell people about Holly so others will keep their eyes open.

It is the second time they have done this in London. Meanwhile, Holly's siblings were doing the same thing in Toronto.

"Our plan has been to make sure the awareness level is saturated, hit as many cities as we can before we head back (out west)."

Holly Ellsworth-Clark has been missing since Jan. 11. | Family handout

He estimated the search has cost the family $20,000, and far more than that when considering everyone else's sacrifices.

"We appreciate everything everyone has done, giving their time and resources. It has given me hope for humanity."

Clark said they will take Holly's belongings to Calgary, including two guitars he recently had fixed up.

"She is hard on her equipment. Anyone who saw her play knows she was fierce with that guitar. I'm sure she will be back using it, too."

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Police have said Holly appeared to be in distress when she went missing, but is "otherwise healthy and athletic." Police said she is "not suicidal" and had no history of going missing.

Anyone with information that might assist in the search should call Det. John Obrovac at 905-546-3816.

jwells@thespec.com

905-526-3515 | @jonjwells