Edmonton police are concerned about the well-being of a missing 73-year-old woman and are asking for the public’s help finding her.
Carole Byrne was last seen walking away from her home near Lessard Drive and 57 Avenue in the Gariepy neighbourhood at about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.
She is about five-foot-three and 110 pounds. Police believe she may be wearing a black, three-quarter length winter jacket, black toque and mitts with black leather hiking boots.
Police said it is out of character for Byrne not to tell her family where she is going and not to return home after a walk.
“Investigators do not suspect foul play at this time,” police said in a news release issued Friday.
On Wednesday afternoon, police and search and rescue crews were searching for Byrne in the area near Lessard Road and 184 Street, as well as in the surrounding ravine areas. The EPS helicopter was also circling the area.
The search was focused on the Lessard and Cameron Heights areas.
“We’ve got some sightings of her being in this area,” Const. Dave McFarland said Wednesday.
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“She’s a walker. She’s very active for her age and at this point we are covering off the area with search and rescue ground teams, search and rescue dogs, EPS constables and detectives and the park rangers went out with their sleds and their 4x4s covering off all the paths, the tracks, the ravine, the dog parks — anywhere that she could have walked or wandered off into.”
In a statement to Global News, Byrne’s daughter Trish O’Flaherty said she wants to let the public know that her mother is a very happy, intelligent, energetic woman who frequently runs on the trails and will be known to people in the community.
“If and when she is found, she may not be herself and may be very confused and weak. I urge anyone who finds her in any state to stay near her and call 911. Tell her her daughter Trish and husband John miss her dearly and need her back home safe.”
McFarland said about 20 search and rescue members were involved in the search Wednesday evening, along with four or five park rangers and about a dozen EPS members.
“With only a few hours left of daylight and the temperatures expected to continue to drop beyond the current -11 C temperature, family and police are concerned for Ms. Byrne’s welfare,” an EPS release stated.
On Friday, police revealed new details about their investigation. They said she was spotted on foot near the intersection of Cameron Heights and Chahley Way at about 3:15 p.m. on the day she went missing.
“Investigators have also obtained residential video surveillance from the area of Clement Court and Chahley Landing, which shows Ms. Byrne speaking with members of the public during her walk, as well as someone driving a dark-coloured Pontiac Montana,” police said.
“Police are looking to speak with any of those citizens who spoke with Ms. Byrne, as well as the driver of the Pontiac Montana.”
A photo of the Montana can be viewed below.
Anyone with information regarding Byrne’s whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS immediately at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
People who live in the area are also asked to check any doorbell or surveillance video they may have.
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