Grim update in search for missing mom who disappeared while family thought she was out for a smoke
A 70-year-old woman with Alzheimer's and dementia in Ellenwood, Georgia, was found dead in a nearby lake three days after she was reported missing, having last been seen by family who believed she had stepped outside for a cigarette. Police say Joanne Howell appears to have wandered from her home before drowning in Misty Lake, a small private body of water close by, though loved ones noted her mobility was severely limited by rheumatoid arthritis and two hip replacements, leaving it unclear how she reached the water. The case highlights the risks faced by elderly people with cognitive impairment who can wander undetected even from watchful households.
Howell was last seen around 6pm on the Friday in the 2600 block of Satellite Terrace, prompting a Mattie's Call, Georgia's emergency alert for missing disabled or elderly people, the following day. Despite a weekend search by family, she was not found until the Monday morning, when police responded to reports of a body in Misty Lake; a medical examiner removed the body around 9am and authorities confirmed her identity by midday. A cause of death has not yet been officially determined, and Howell's family has since released a statement thanking the community for their support during the search.
In short
- Missing Georgia woman, 70, with dementia found dead in local lake
- She vanished after family thought she was smoking outside
- Cause of death still unconfirmed; investigation ongoing
Explained simply
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can affect memory and judgement, and some people may wander away from home without telling anyone. Older people with these conditions can be especially vulnerable if they are not found quickly.
Joanne Howell was a 70-year-old woman who lived with her family in Ellenwood, Georgia. She had Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as rheumatoid arthritis and two hip replacements, which limited her mobility. Her family believed she had stepped outside for a cigarette.
In Georgia, Mattie’s Call is an emergency alert used to help find missing older or disabled people. Howell’s disappearance prompted a search involving her family and the community; police said she appeared to have wandered to a nearby private lake. The case has drawn attention to the challenges of keeping someone safe when cognitive impairment and limited mobility affect how they move around.