The family of an 82-year-old Calgary woman is making an urgent public appeal for information as the search for her enters a critical phase, with RCMP describing the investigation as having reached a standstill.
Diane Cooper was reported missing on April 7 after last being spotted near Hoosier, Saskatchewan on April 6. She was driving a grey Toyota SUV when she left Calgary, but her whereabouts remain unknown.
Initially, Cooper's family was able to monitor her movements using her smartphone and a vehicle-mounted AirTag. That tracking capability ended abruptly around 9:40 p.m. on April 6 when both her phone and the AirTag stopped transmitting signals—leaving investigators and loved ones with a widening mystery.
Family Expresses Growing Concern
Cooper's granddaughter, Cassidy Smith, told media that the family has found the situation deeply troubling. "It's very concerning, and we're all quite worried," Smith said. "We have absolutely no relatives or family in Saskatchewan, and she has no ties to northern Alberta either."
That geographical disconnect makes Cooper's presence in the Hoosier area even more puzzling, according to family members who say her destination and purpose for the trip remain unexplained.
Early-Stage Dementia Adds to Worry
While Cooper experiences symptoms consistent with early-stage dementia, her family had not previously considered her unable to manage independent travel. However, the sudden loss of all communication signals has fundamentally changed their assessment of the situation and heightened alarm bells.
RCMP have appealed to the public for any information that could help locate Cooper. Anyone with details about her movements, sightings of her vehicle, or other relevant information is urged to contact their local police service immediately.
This story was adapted from reporting by the Calgary Herald.