Northwest Missouri Family Searches for Missing Elderly Woman
By: Sarah Hatten
Updated: November 21, 2012
(LACLEDE, Mo.) An elderly woman in northwest Missouri has been missing for more than four days. Now, the family of 82-year-old Jean Boxely is searching for answers.
At a time when many come together for the holidays, the family from Linn County is mapping out their next move in the search for their missing loved one.
"She's mobile, she's in a vehicle, she can basically go where she wants, do what she wants, we want the best for her and we're going to do everything we can to find her and track her down," Linn County Sheriff Tom Parks said.
Boxely is usually in constant communication with her family, but that all changed Friday.
"She bought $10 in gas and a scratch-off ticket, she was then seen heading towards Laclede," Kim Grienke, Boxely's granddaughter said.
She never made it back home, and now her family is launching a search to find her.
"She hasn't taken off, and it's just a very odd thing. We haven't seen the car anywhere so that makes it even more scary" Grienke said.
Grienke and about two dozen others spent the day looking for clues of Boxely's whereabouts.
"It's amazing to me the support of people from Linn County that have been out on their own and called and said do you have any ideas? Where do you want me to go next?" Grienke said.
Sheriff Parks says they're finding nothing more than dead ends, but there are factors working in Boxely's favor.
"With this being deer season, hunters are out and about, and Facebook has been a great resource, and traveling for holidays. The more people are looking, the better chances," Sheriff Parks said.
At this point, the Sheriff's Department doesn't suspect foul play.
"Oh we'll find her, somebody will, she'll be found, there's not a doubt in my mind," Sheriff Parks said.
But, Boxely's family won't rest until they know she's home safe.
"We're going to keep looking," Grienke said.
Boxely does have a heart condition, but the family says nothing like this has ever happened before. Family members also said she didn't pack any bags, and left a dirty pan on the stove, which is unlike her.
At a time when many come together for the holidays, the family from Linn County is mapping out their next move in the search for their missing loved one.
"She's mobile, she's in a vehicle, she can basically go where she wants, do what she wants, we want the best for her and we're going to do everything we can to find her and track her down," Linn County Sheriff Tom Parks said.
Boxely is usually in constant communication with her family, but that all changed Friday.
"She bought $10 in gas and a scratch-off ticket, she was then seen heading towards Laclede," Kim Grienke, Boxely's granddaughter said.
She never made it back home, and now her family is launching a search to find her.
"She hasn't taken off, and it's just a very odd thing. We haven't seen the car anywhere so that makes it even more scary" Grienke said.
Grienke and about two dozen others spent the day looking for clues of Boxely's whereabouts.
"It's amazing to me the support of people from Linn County that have been out on their own and called and said do you have any ideas? Where do you want me to go next?" Grienke said.
Sheriff Parks says they're finding nothing more than dead ends, but there are factors working in Boxely's favor.
"With this being deer season, hunters are out and about, and Facebook has been a great resource, and traveling for holidays. The more people are looking, the better chances," Sheriff Parks said.
At this point, the Sheriff's Department doesn't suspect foul play.
"Oh we'll find her, somebody will, she'll be found, there's not a doubt in my mind," Sheriff Parks said.
But, Boxely's family won't rest until they know she's home safe.
"We're going to keep looking," Grienke said.
Boxely does have a heart condition, but the family says nothing like this has ever happened before. Family members also said she didn't pack any bags, and left a dirty pan on the stove, which is unlike her.
