LA MESA, Calif. — Authorities reached out to the public Tuesday for help in finding a 71-year-old woman with dementia who went missing nearly a month ago in La Mesa.
The last confirmed sighting of Vivian Crowder was early on the afternoon of Oct. 29, the La Mesa Police Department reported. At the time, she was walking alongside state Route 125 over Interstate 8, dressed in black pants, a blue-and-brown floral-patterned shirt, turquoise-colored shoes, a blue denim jacket and a beige head wrap.
According to police, Crowder had been waiting at ITAN during her caretaker's appointment when she wandered away.
"We are hoping that a good Samaritan picked her up and drove her someplace, and, if so, we hope they will contact us and let us know where they took her," LMPD Lt. Katy Lynch said.
People who came into contact with Crowder -- who "is friendly and would talk to anyone" -- around the time she disappeared reported that she "appeared very confused," Lynch said.
CBS 8 spoke with Crowder's family Nov. 8 after she'd been missing for 10 days.
"She still knows her name and birthday — she's still in that early stage, but it's deteriorating by the day," said her brother, Lonnel Crowder, explaining that his sister started showing signs of dementia about 18 months ago.
The family has mounted an extensive search, covering both La Mesa and the area around Crowder's senior living complex off Imperial Avenue in Southeast San Diego. "We've been out here every day," Lonnel said. "Anywhere we can think of that she would be."
Anyone who might be able to help locate Crowder is asked to call La Mesa police at 619-667-7537.
