NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County officials are searching for a 75-year-old Ukiah woman who went missing from her home sometime this past weekend.
A “Silver Alert” – a new alert system for missing and endangered seniors – was issued for Elna Jean Koopman, according to Lt. Greg Van Patten of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
At 9 p.m. Monday Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 400 block of Kenwood Drive in Ukiah regarding an elderly missing person report, Van Patten said.
Van Patten said that when deputies arrived at the residence they spoke with missing person’s son and he informed them that his elderly mother was missing from her residence.
The son stated that Koopman, his mother, was suffering from early stages of dementia and that she had a difficult time remembering things and events, Van Patten said.
The son informed the deputies that he had not spoken to his mother for more than 24 hours so he decided to check on her to make sure she was doing well, according to Van Patten.
He said the son drove up from the Santa Rosa area and when he arrived at his mother’s residence on Monday morning he noticed her vehicle was missing, so he entered the residence to see if she was inside.
The son did not locate his mother in the residence, so he searched the surrounding area, checked with local friends and neighbors, with no success, Van Patten said. The son then notified the sheriff’s office that his mother was missing.
During the investigation it was learned by the deputies that Koopman also had a residence in the Dallas, Texas area and it was believed by the son that Koopman, because of her dementia, may be confused and attempt to drive to Texas thinking she still lives there.
Deputies contacted the California Highway Patrol and requested a statewide Silver Alert be issued for Koopman and her vehicle, Van Patten said.
Koopman is reported to be driving a White 2004 Toyota “Sienna” van with a California license plate of 5HGN279.
Koopman has brown/gray hair and blue eyes, is approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.
Anyone who sees or has any information on the whereabouts of Koopman is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at 707-463-4086.