The search continues in Cowley County for an Overland Park woman missing since May 15.

 

Volunteers joined members of the Cowley County Sheriff’s Department late last week to conduct a grid search for 81-year-old Jerry McConnell in a rural area along US-160 about 15 miles east of Moline. McConnell’s car was found in the area on May 19. She disappeared while driving from Harrisonville, Missouri, to her home in Overland Park. Authorities say it’s unclear why McConnell was in that area of Cowley County, but her car did have a full tank of gas. The woman’s family believes she may be suffering from the early stages of dementia.

 

Searchers found little evidence of McConnell during Thursday’s search, and while hope remains she may still be found alive, authorities says the effort may soon become a recovery mission.

 

McConnell is described as a white female, about 5 feet six inches tall and weighing about 140 pounds. She has blue eyes and gray hair.