25/01/2020
Absolutely no trace of Ms. Kennebrew was found today by DERTI VET guys. They searched the ponds at Advance Disposal, 8 abandoned structures and more. We also had other volunteers searching other areas and nothing.
We really appreciate everyone is helping us!!!
We will search again tomorrow, Saturday, January 25th. We will meet at 8:30am at the Wall Street Senior Center, 415 Wall St., Tallassee. You're welcome to bring ATV's, horses or anything that will aid in the search.
Please dress appropriately! You will be in heavily wooded areas. Boots are your friends!
Please wear bright colored shirts or an orange vest so that you are seen. We suggest you bring yourself waters, snacks, a whistle and anything else needed in a backpack.
Attention Volunteers! Please read the below information concerning Ms. Kennebrew! It is very important for you to know!
- After fighting through brush and trees and other obstacles, some dementia patients will find a welcome relief when a pond, lake, stream, or river opens up in front of them: They may think it is a flat area good to walk on.
- She is right-handed. Wandering generally follows the direction of the dominant hand.
- She left on foot after a family member or friend told her not to go into the woods because it is hunting season
- No phone nor car
- Ms. Kennebrew has not had her medications since before Jan 8th. Her judgement is most definitely impaired.
- She has disappeared before but only for a day. She walked to Tuskegee from Tallassee. She is also known to walk through the woods near her home and Ashurst Bar Rd.
- She sleeps during the day and likes to move around at night
- She was born and raised on Jackson Lane, Tallassee
- She once attended church at the Zion Church on Ashurst Bar Rd, Tallassee
- She likes streams, lakes & bodies of water
- A person with dementia will go until they get stuck! A person with dementia will go into some of the thickest, nastiest brush or briars.
- Searchers may be ignored, or avoided.
- The inability to form short-term memory does guide a wanderer's path. A dementia patient is making all of his or her decisions based on what they can see right in front of them. An area of thick brush that other people will avoid isn't as much of a barrier. In a world with little or no short-term memory, there is little ability to remember to turn around
- Those who wander are often found within a half mile of home or the starting location of theblast seen location.
- Someone with dementia is easily disoriented, and crowded or unfamiliar settings can cause confusion and a strong desire to get away. The urge to go home can be strong, even for someone who is already home!
- Search areas of thick vegetation, near bodies of water, and near highways; areas that have cover (natural or man-made), and residential yards.
- Special attention should be paid to areas such as culverts, drainage areas, wooded transitional areas between housing developments, etc.
- Consider obscure hiding locations: junk yards, drainage trenches, building roofs, abandoned buildings and vehicles, commercial ventilation systems/ducts, etc.
- Canvas area businesses and other easily accessible buildings.
- If you are to locate her, only one person is to approach and check her vitals. Another person is to call 911. If she is deceased, do not allow anyone to contaminate the area around her as it will be considered a crime scene until proven otherwise. If she is alive as we are hoping, be very calm and gentle as you talk to her. Offer her water or food and a coat.
Judy Kennebrew
Age: 65
Height: 5’3
WEIGHT: 170
She was last seen near Jackson Lane in Tallassee, Al. Her judgement is impaired, beginning stages of dementia. Possibly wearing a gray or black dress slacks. She has a small scar on the bridge of her nose, a square scar on her upper right thigh, and a burn/skin graft on top of her right hand. Her dog also went missing with her, dog has been located safe.