Elderly Fultonville woman missing since March 19

By Steven Cook
Gazette Reporter

March 26, 2002
FULTONVILLE - A Fultonville woman with Alzheimer's disease, last seen March 19, remained missing Monday, and family members posted a $500 reward for information leading to her return.

Alice Anderson, 84, of 8 Broad St., wandered away from the Dawncrest Adult Home in Fultonville last Tuesday and has not been seen since.

Anderson has wandered away from the home in the past and Montgomery County Sheriff's Department members say there is no indication of foul play in her disappearance.

Anderson has left at least twice in the past, but has been gone only for a few hours before being found, Investigator Bill Gilston said.

"She's still on the missing list, but there are really no other leads at this point," Gilston said. "We're just asking people who have outbuildings on their property to check them."

On one occasion, Anderson walked to her daughter's home and, another time, Gilston found her walking on Main Street in Fultonville, he said.

Searchers from the Sheriff's Department and state police have combed both Fultonville and Fonda with bloodhounds attempting to find the woman. Gilston said the dogs led them to the Mohawk River.

Dive teams from the Sheriff's Department and the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department are expected to begin searching the river today, Lt. Jeff Smith said. Gilston said dive teams will begin working at 8 a.m. today near the Route 30A Bridge.

Anderson was last seen around the Riverside Drive area of Fultonville. She was wearing beige shoes, blue jeans and a red button-up sweater. She has brown eyes, brown hair, is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds.

State police helicopters have also been used to search the area from the air.

The Sheriff's Department is now asking residents of Fonda, Fultonville, Glen and Mohawk to check their properties for the woman. Residents are asked to check sheds, outbuildings, vehicles, culvert pipes, dumpsters, tarps or other places Anderson could have sought refuge.

Dive teams from the sheriff's department and the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department are expected to begin searching the Mohawk River today, Lt. Jeff Smith said.

Despite the lack of information on her disappearance, Smith said searchers are still holding out hope that Anderson is alive and safe somewhere.

"We're still hoping she's in a house someplace with a friend who doesn't read newspapers, watch TV or listen to the radio and that she's fine," Smith said. "We're trying to do everything possible to search and make sure we haven't missed anything."

Posted July 13, 2002