Found Deceased WA - Julie Montague Ayers, 67, got separated from her partner while walking the dog, has dementia, Mt Baker Natl Forest, Kendall, 10 Mar 2023

[airportwoman]

The surface of those lakes looks deceptively green. If she got close to it, she might have walked out into it thinking it was solid ground and fallen completely in. Her boots may have given her an extra, though false, sense of security. She could also have slipped down the sloped areas and fallen in that way.

Does this area still have ice covering some bodies of water? That could also be deceptive, especially to someone without all their mental faculties.

 

[slowpoke]

Some dogs run off with the leash, if the person isn't gripping tight, or doesn't have grip strength. Especially when the dog is young/not properly trained.

Also, I can imagine, after a long marriage, and when symptoms aren't constantly manifesting, it's probably hard to remember in every single moment that your spouse is no longer the person they were for so long. There's an ingrained assumption that operates when something happens that takes your attention elsewhere.

I think some people expect us to be programmed like computers, but humans don't function that way.

JMO

You’re right. I guess I sounded a bit harsh in regards to Mr. Ayers for how he walked with his wife (way ahead of her). I apologize to all.

My dad who had dementia lived with me for a time, so I experienced and learned the changes and difficulties associated with his condition. My dad also went blind due to advanced glaucoma, so I had to be right by him to guide him to get around. I was thinking of my own family situation in thinking how I would be walking in the Ayers’ case. Mr. Ayers is not me, and Mrs. Ayers‘ situation is not like my dad’s.

Thanks, everyone, for bringing all your perspectives and experiences. It becomes so helpful in understanding the actions of others in cases we discuss here.

 

[Snoopster]

I believe the Ayers live at 1941 Clear Valley Dr. This is only a 12 minute (0.6 mi) walk from where Julie was last seen on video, based on my understanding. LE reported that she was last seen on Sprague Valley Lane. It seems like a lovely area, but scary now with the understanding that she has gone missing. I'm going to presume that this was a somewhat normal walking route for the couple.

Where are you Julie? Your loved ones are worried about you.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

it gives me "Twin Peaks" vibes.

Which makes sense, as IMO the outdoor and town scenes of the show were filmed not far from there!

(like within ~200 miles or so)

 

[Snoopster]

I believe the Ayers live at 1941 Clear Valley Dr. This is only a 12 minute (0.6 mi) walk from where Julie was last seen on video, based on my understanding. LE reported that she was last seen on Sprague Valley Lane. It seems like a lovely area, but scary now with the understanding that she has gone missing. I'm going to presume that this was a somewhat normal walking route for the couple.

Where are you Julie? Your loved ones are worried about you.

 

[Springrain]

Does this area still have ice covering some bodies of water? That could also be deceptive, especially to someone without all their mental faculties.

I'm not very familiar with the Kendall area specifically but as someone from the broader area I think it's safe to say no, the bodies of water aren't frozen over. That doesn't even really happen in the middle of winter here, it doesn't get cold enough for that.

 

[Glimma0927]

I'm not very familiar with the Kendall area specifically but as someone from the broader area I think it's safe to say no, the bodies of water aren't frozen over. That doesn't even really happen in the middle of winter here, it doesn't get cold enough for that.

...but most bodies of water here are cold in temperature, even in summer. Maybe shallower lakes warm up in the summer, but at this time of year, they're still really cold. It's not unusual for people to get hypothermia when swimming on hot summer days, so bodies of water are still a very big hazard for Julie.

 

[Springrain]

...but most bodies of water here are cold in temperature, even in summer. Maybe shallower lakes warm up in the summer, but at this time of year, they're still really cold. It's not unusual for people to get hypothermia when swimming on hot summer days, so bodies of water are still a very big hazard for Julie.

100% agree on that.

 

[katydid23]

I am really surprised she hasn't been found already. How far would she have walked?

 

[Lilibet]

I am really surprised she hasn't been found already. How far would she have walked?

She could have fallen and be hidden in the dense underbrush. In our town an older woman with dementia walked a couple of miles before falling into thick blackberries. She was found too late, tragically.

 

[RickshawFan]

I am really surprised she hasn't been found already. How far would she have walked?

The thing is, there are lakes there, and the dementia-afflicted hide in unpredictable places. I posted upthread some videos on lost person behavior that give an idea about silver alert searches.

In many searches in wild areas, the lost aren't found. Very typical. Sometimes, their remains are spotted later randomly, but this can be years later.

 

[RickshawFan]

So, I managed to dig out a slide show that is used for SAR training. It gives some bullet points of lost person behavior for Alzheimer's-afflicted.

This organization is Northeast Wilderness Search and Rescue (NEWSAR)

http://www.newsar.org/Training/Lost_Person_Behavior_NEWSAR_no_background.pdf

I don't know when this was dated, but there are very likely new ###'s since this is a rapidly-evolving field.

 

[annpats]

I am really surprised she hasn't been found already. How far would she have walked?

She may have walked just a few hundred feet. It doesn't have to be far.
Dense forest is all around, and hills with drop-off, old mining activity and small lakes. Plus, it's still cold in WA at night.

 

[bestill]

So sad that Julie hasn't been found. I checked in hopeful that she was home with her loved ones.

 

[annpats]

So sad that Julie hasn't been found. I checked in hopeful that she was home with her loved ones.

I think about her everyday. I'm not hopeful she will be found alive, sadly.

She seemed a lovely lady, and deserved a better ending to her life.

Please God may we find a cure for dementia soon!

 

[Springrain]

Still haven't heard any more news.

 

[Cedars]

She may have walked just a few hundred feet. It doesn't have to be far.
Dense forest is all around, and hills with drop-off, old mining activity and small lakes. Plus, it's still cold in WA at night.

An older woman in my area was injured on a solo hike, and took shelter in a little cavern beneath a fallen tree, covered up with branches. I think that would be a natural instinct, though I've also read that the way to survive a cold night is to regularly march on the spot, waving arms, to generate body heat.

JMO

 

[Stunned]

An older woman in my area was injured on a solo hike, and took shelter in a little cavern beneath a fallen tree, covered up with branches. I think that would be a natural instinct, though I've also read that the way to survive a cold night is to regularly march on the spot, waving arms, to generate body heat.

JMO

Would she know that? Would she remember?

 

[WingsOverTX]

Still haven't heard any more news.

I wish the family would establish a Facebook page where search updates could be published. Her daughter is posting but those can't be shared here. I wonder if SAR has done all it can? Nearby bodies of water haven't been searched AFAIK. I wonder if any other video was found?

Such a sad case as the window of finding her alive is closing or has closed.

As the massive U.S. Boomer population ages, solutions that work for tracking need to be encouraged by doctors & others who encounter the vulnerable/potentially vulnerable. The tech is out there but like so much with elder care, too few know about the many clever inventions that help improve quality of life for seniors. Everyone fights aging thinking it only means loss but it doesn't have to.

I look forward to a day when tracking options & adaptive equipment are not seen as enemies of privacy & autonomy.
MOO

 

[Springrain]

As the massive U.S. Boomer population ages, solutions that work for tracking need to be encouraged by doctors & others who encounter the vulnerable/potentially vulnerable. The tech is out there but like so much with elder care, too few know about the many clever inventions that help improve quality of life for seniors. Everyone fights aging thinking it only means loss but it doesn't have to.

I look forward to a day when tracking options & adaptive equipment are not seen as enemies of privacy & autonomy.
MOO

1000% agree! There are far too many cases of vulnerable aging folks going missing and it is a huge issue across the globe. While there is of course no "one size fits all" solution for this, and nothing is foolproof, I truly think tracking options should be supported and promoted, to keep the vulnerable elderly safe and to give their families peace of mind.