Search continues for missing woman in Vernon

VERNON — The Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP are hoping the public can help them as they try to locate a missing woman.

Aurelia Wedenig, 65, was last seen on Friday in the 3300 block of 30 Avenue. Her family is concerned about her whereabouts.

Cpl. Dan Moskaluk says on Friday, police found surveillance footage which confirmed that she was in the downtown core. RCMP released the surveillance photo above of Wedenig.

“She was at a local store and made a small purchase and that is when she was last seen,” says Moskaluk.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "She was at a local store and made a small purchase and that is when she was last seen," says Moskaluk.

Wedenig left her residential mental health facility in Vernon around 1 p.m. on Friday to go for an afternoon walk.

“Staff expected her to be back by 6 p.m. but by 8 p.m., she still hadn’t returned and that is when they contacted Vernon RCMP to report her missing,” says Moskaluk.

Vernon Search and Rescue crews were called in to help search for Wedenig on Friday evening; 24 members were involved in the search on Friday and Saturday.

An RCMP helicopter was also used to look for the missing woman in the downtown core and surrounding area on Saturday.

“We would like to advise the public that Aurelia may appear confused or disoriented, she is suffering through the early stages of dementia and of course family and police are very concerned for her well-being at this time,” says Moskaluk.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We would like to advise the public that Aurelia may appear confused or disoriented, she is suffering through the early stages of dementia and of course family and police are very concerned for her well-being at this time," says Moskaluk.

He says all areas where Wedenig’s family thought she might go have been searched.

He says this is a high priority investigation for the Vernon RCMP which has dedicated more resources to the investigation on Monday.

Police describe her as 5’6″, 150 pounds, with blonde-grey hair and green eyes.

She wears wire rim glasses and speaks with an Austrian accent. She was last seen wearing a purple and teal jacket.

“She may have an acquaintance or a friend the family aren’t aware of that she may be visiting at this time. We are hopeful for a good outcome,” says Moskaluk.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "She may have an acquaintance or a friend the family aren't aware of that she may be visiting at this time. We are hopeful for a good outcome," says Moskaluk.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers or the Vernon RCMP.

~ With files from Megan Turcato