Missing Alaska Teen 'Too Afraid' to Follow Through With Protective Order, Dad Says

Feb. 6, 2012 — -- The tearful father of missing Alaska teenager Samantha Koenig abducted by an armed man said that she filed a protective order against a man in November but was too scared to follow it through.

"She filed for a restraining order against a person she barely knew and was too afraid to go through with it in court," James Koenig told ABCNews.com.

He said he could not elaborate on the situation or the man's identity, but he did not believe that his daughter felt that she was in danger or that someone wanted to hurt her before she disappeared.

When asked if he had any theories about what may have happened to her daughter, he said, "I do, but I cannot divulge."

In November, Samantha Koenig filed the protective order, but she did not show up for a hearing and the order was never issued.

Samantha Koenig, 18, was last seen Wednesday evening on surveillance video that showed her leaving the Common Grounds Espresso stand with an armed man, who police said was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and possibly a baseball cap.

All of the coffee stand's cash was also missing.

The reward for a Koenig more than tripled over the weekend to $41,000.

The Anchorage Police Department has received criticism for not releasing the surveillance tape, but police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said they won't do it because, "There's no way this video is going to further the investigation."

Parker said the tape has "evidentiary qualities" that make it valuable to investigators but that it would not be useful to release it because the alleged kidnapper's face is not visible. He said the key to the video for investigators is Koenig's response to the perpetrator.

"You can clearly see that she is being taken against her will. You can see her reaction," Parker said. Police will not disclose what type of weapon the abductor had, but said the man is armed.

"We know they left the area on foot. Did he have a car parked somewhere? Did he go to a friend's house?" Parker said. "[Investigators] are absolutely beating the boards in the investigation and they are working very hard."

Parker said that numerous detective units are working hard on the case as tips come in, but they do not have any hard leads that they could share.

"She's still gone. We don't know where she went," Parker said. "At this time, they have not released the name or description of anyone who is a person of interest."

Koenig's father James Koenig has his own theories, but is similarly tight-lipped.

"I have suspicions, but that's all they are," Koenig said. He said he did not wish to name any people that may, in fact, be innocent.

Samantha Koenig had been working at the Common Grounds Espresso stand for about a month and her father said she was really enjoying it.

"She's a sweetheart. She's got the biggest heart and she has genuine love and care for people. She befriends people so easily," Koenig said through tears. "Everyone that meets her, they call her their best friend. That's just her personality. She's funny and she loves life."

Koenig is the fourth of six children. She has three sisters and two brothers who James Koenig said are working hard to search for Samantha.

"No one is holding up," he said. "They're doing all they can. They're handing out flyers and talking to whoever will listen."

Koenig is 5-foot-5 and weighs about 140 pounds. She has brown hair and eyes. Authorities are asking that anyone with information contact the Anchorage Police Department at 907-786-8900.

"I want her to come home and I want the people who did this to go away forever," Koenig said.