LATHROP, Mo. (AP) - Family and friends of a 50-year-old northwest Missouri woman who hasn't been seen since June 15 say they are baffled by her disappearance and won't stop looking for her until the mystery is solved.
Carol Thompson was last seen falling asleep on the couch at her boyfriend's home, which is about 8 miles from Lathrop, where she lives. Her purse, cell phone, medications and car were left behind.
Because she suffered from multiple sclerosis and heart problems, Thompson didn't go many places and didn't take long walks, The St. Joseph News-Press reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/LOvuRc).
"Physically, it's not like she's going to take off and walk a mile. It's just not going to happen," said Lisa Angle, a friend of the family.
Caldwell County Sheriff Jerry Galloway said officers have searched some places of interest, but he said he couldn't comment further on the investigation because it is ongoing.
Thompson, who lost her job at a hospital because of her medical conditions, spent much of her time watching her favorite NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon's races, posting on Facebook and babysitting for her grandchildren.
"The day after she disappeared, her grandkids were supposed to be here. I can't think that she would purposely leave when she knew they were coming," Angle said.
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, family members and friends have searched more than 14 square miles of land around the home on foot, ATVs, horses and a helicopter.
"As hard as we've beat the bush and come up with nothing, we think that somebody may have picked her up," said her boyfriend, Dwight Adkison.
Searchers have talked to truck drivers who use the highway that runs near Adkison's home and posted fliers in nearby states.
"In the evenings, after work, we just jump in the four-wheelers or the truck and just pick a road and we just go down it," Angle said.
Information from: St. Joseph News-Press, http://www.stjoenews-press.com