Family Seeks Information on Cheyenne Woman, 63, Missing for a Week

Cheyenne, Wyoming,Tribune-Eagle ^ | 05-24-03 | Rule, Juliette

[Theodore R.]

Family seeks information on missing 63-year-old

By Juliette Rule Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

CHEYENNE – Janice Brady hasn’t been seen for a week, leaving her family frantic and investigators in two counties stumped.

Kim Ponce said her mother drove to Greeley, Colo., last Saturday to visit with her husband, Kim’s father. He works in the town 40 minutes south of here.

It’s a trip Brady takes often, so family members were hopeful they’d spot her as they retraced her steps.

“When she saw my dad, she was swerving (swaying) and said her left arm was numb,” Ponce said.

Her husband asked her if she wanted to check into the hospital in Greeley, but Brady said she preferred to go home.

When she didn’t arrive as expected Saturday, Ponce, her sister and their father drove Brady’s route down South Greeley Highway, veering onto Road 90 and joining Road 43 in Weld County, Colo.

They didn’t see her white and navy-topped 1991 Buick Riviera.

“The car should stick out like a sore thumb,” Laramie County sheriff’s deputy Mark Hollenbach said.

This is unusual for the 5-foot, 4-inch Brady, who has a family of puppies to care for and recently bought groceries, Ponce said, “especially since she didn’t feel well.”

But of grave concern is Brady’s health. She’s been treated for a heart condition for the last two years and last week suffered a heart attack.

On Thursday, the family alerted authorities in both counties.

Hollenbach has been driving the country roads the last couple of days in hopes of finding Brady.

“There are tons of places to go in there. She could have gotten back into the bluffs,” he said. “I was surprised at some of the places I found.”

Hollenbach has been helpful, and Weld County officials also are keeping a lookout, Ponce said. The investigation is being led by Weld County investigator Al Price.

A check of a national database hasn’t turned up any activity on a driver’s license check, Hollenbach said.

Towing companies in the area haven’t been called to help her either, Ponce said.

On Friday, Ponce printed and circulated fliers with her mom’s picture on them.

Brady was a common face at the Elk’s, Moose and Eagles lodges. She also sometimes stopped at an A&W Restaurant on her trips to Greeley.

“We have nothing,” Ponce said, “and it’s not that long of a drive.”

How to help

Call Laramie County sheriff’s deputy Mark Hollenbach at 633-4705 or Weld County investigator Al Price, 970-356-4000

[Theodore R.]

It certainly would not seem likely that his ailing woman would have left the main roads, does it?

[Dust in the Wind]

Lack of oxygen to the brain does funny things to our judgment. I have seen victims miles off their intended route.

May this family be granted a speedy resolution to their delima.

[najida]

I am flabergasted at the husband letting her drive!!
Of course she didn't make it home....I am surprised she made it out of the parking lot...
You do not,
I mean DO NOT let a person drive if they are experiencing these symptoms. You take them to the hospital ASAP.

[Theodore R.]

Probably the family let her drive because she had always been driving under potentially precarious outcomes but always made it to and from her destination. But obviously she should not have been driving in her condition. There would seem to be little chance that she is alive.

[najida]

I had a very hard headed mama and we let her drive everywhere. So I do understand the families position. My amazement is that she was clearly in the middle of what appears to be a stroke or heart attack. Maybe they just didn't know the symptoms.

[Theodore R.]

Yea, it would seem to be a case of ignorance being fatal.