Frantic search for elderly couple who vanished from nudist resort
Authorities are desperately searching for an elderly California couple who mysteriously disappeared from their home on a nudist ranch in Redlands.
Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband Daniel, 79, were reported missing on Sunday by a concerned friend.
The Menards were last seen leaving their home on the Olive Dell nudist ranch around 10 a.m. the day before.
According to investigators, the couple’s car was found unlocked not far from their home.
On Sunday, Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband Daniel, 79, were reported missing by a concerned friend
Stephanie’s bag was also found in the house, as well as her and Daniel’s mobile phones.
But the Menards’ beloved dog, a tiny Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing, the LA Times.
Authorities say Daniel has diabetes and dementia, complicating the case and adding a sense of urgency to the search.
As the search for the Menards continues, friends and neighbors try to maintain hope.
Authorities said Daniel has been diagnosed with diabetes and suffers from dementia, complicating matters and adding a sense of urgency to the search.
Stephanie Menard uses a can to get around
“Every day is getting longer and longer, and I’m getting more and more worried,” said Sandy Marinelli, a friend of the couple, ABC.
“There’s just nothing to go on right now.”
Tammie Wilkerson, another friend, pointed out that it would have made no sense for the Menards to leave their car behind.
“There’s no way Stephanie or Dan could have walked away from that car. She has a cane. It was at home.”
The Menards, who are very active in their church and in the Olive Dell community, were described as friendly people.
“They’re very sweet,” Wilkerson said through tears. “There’s not a mean bone in their body, which makes it confusing.”
Friends of the Menards told ABC that the couple were being harassed and that they fear this is related to their disappearance.
The Menards’ beloved dog, a tiny Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing
Friends of the Menards told ABC that the couple had been harassed and they fear it could be related to their disappearance.
When asked if she thinks the septuagenarians will ever return, Wilkerson replies, “My gut feeling says no.”
When the Menards are found, the friends become concerned about the circumstances.
“And if they find them, how?” Marinelli asked.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance is asked to contact the Redlands Police Department at (909) 798-7681 or Detective Thomas Williams at twilliams@redlandspolice.org.