ANDALUSIA, Ala. — A 67-year-old Florida woman who walked away from an Andalusia campground early Saturday was found dead Sunday afternoon in rough terrain nearby, ending a search that drew state and local agencies, off-duty officers and volunteer searchers.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency had issued a Missing and Endangered Alert on Saturday for Linda May Krieger, saying she was living with a condition that could impair her judgment. On Sunday, Andalusia city officials announced that searchers had found her body and released more details about her disappearance.
Andalusia Police Capt. Brett Holmes said Krieger’s body was found at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday near the campground. Her body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, which will determine the cause and manner of death.
What happened
According to city officials, Krieger and her husband had been camping at The Oaks, a campground just inside the corporate limits of Andalusia, the county seat of Covington County. Her husband told Andalusia police that he heard her leave the couple’s RV at about 6:20 a.m. Saturday.
Police were notified, and a search was launched immediately. Officials said the urgency was driven by her health: Krieger had Alzheimer’s disease with sundowning symptoms, as well as another condition that could affect her judgment. Those factors meant she might become disoriented and be unable to find her way back or ask for help.
Timeline
- Saturday, about 6:20 a.m.: Krieger’s husband hears her leave the couple’s RV at The Oaks campground in Andalusia.
- Saturday morning: Andalusia police are notified and a search begins immediately.
- Saturday: ALEA issues a Missing and Endangered Alert.
- Sunday, about 4:30 p.m.: Searchers find Krieger’s body in rough terrain near the campground.
- Next step: The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences will determine the cause and manner of death.
A multi-agency search
Multiple agencies joined the effort to find Krieger, including the Andalusia Police Department, ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation and its aerial unit, the Covington County Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff’s Posse.
Holmes said the response was overwhelming.
“I cannot say enough about the help and offers of help we received,” Holmes said. “Mark Kyser and Robbie Barton organized the posse’s search which ultimately led to the discovery of her body. The State Bureau of Investigation’s support and expertise were very appreciated.”
He also thanked the Andalusia officers who worked on the case, including those who gave up their personal time.
“We had off-duty officers volunteering their time to help,” Holmes said. “Everybody very much wanted to find her alive.”
Holmes also noted the cooperation of Krieger’s husband throughout the search and investigation.
“Mrs. Krieger’s husband could not have been more cooperative with the investigation,” Holmes said.
‘Our prayers are with her husband and their family’
Holmes said the loss is especially painful because it happened while the couple was traveling.
“Our prayers are with her husband and their family,” he said. “To have this happen any time would be difficult. To have it happen when you are away from home, friends and family no doubt made it more difficult.”
What is a Missing and Endangered Alert?
ALEA issues Missing and Endangered Alerts for people who are believed to be at risk because of a medical condition, cognitive impairment or other circumstances. The alerts are shared with law enforcement agencies, the news media and the public to spread information quickly and to encourage anyone who sees the missing person to call authorities.
These alerts are separate from AMBER Alerts, which are reserved for abducted children who meet specific criteria. Missing and Endangered Alerts are frequently issued for older adults with dementia, as well as for people with other conditions that could put them in danger if they become lost.
Understanding dementia and wandering
Krieger’s disappearance highlights a risk that many families caring for someone with dementia know all too well. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once, and many do so repeatedly. A person may become confused about where they are, try to go “home” even when they are home, or set out to complete a familiar task from an earlier time in their life.
Sundowning refers to a pattern of increased confusion, anxiety, agitation or restlessness that some people with Alzheimer’s disease experience, often in the late afternoon and evening, though symptoms can appear at other times. Changes in routine, unfamiliar surroundings and disrupted sleep can make those symptoms worse.
Travel can be particularly challenging. Campgrounds, hotels and relatives’ homes are unfamiliar, and the layout of doors, paths and roads is different from what a person with dementia is used to. Wooded or rough terrain near a campground can make it harder for a disoriented person to find their way and harder for searchers to spot them.
Tips for families and caregivers
Organizations that support families affected by dementia recommend several steps to reduce the risk of wandering and to speed up searches if someone does go missing:
- Plan ahead for travel. Consider whether a trip is right for the person, and keep routines as consistent as possible when away from home.
- Secure doors. Use door chimes, alarms or locks placed out of the line of sight, including on RVs and hotel rooms.
- Use identification. Medical ID bracelets, clothing labels and GPS tracking devices can help responders identify and locate a person quickly.
- Keep a current photo and description. Have a recent photo and a list of details such as height, weight, clothing and medical needs ready to give police.
- Call for help immediately. If a person with dementia goes missing, call 911 right away. The first hours are critical, and searching alone first can cost valuable time.
- Know likely destinations. People who wander often head in the direction of their dominant hand or toward places that are familiar, and are frequently found close to where they were last seen, sometimes in brush or wooded areas.
The Alzheimer’s Association operates a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for caregivers and families who need information or support.
A community that responded
Andalusia is a close-knit city in South Central Alabama, and the response to Krieger’s disappearance showed how quickly a community can come together for a stranger. Sworn officers, state investigators, pilots, sheriff’s deputies and volunteer posse members spent hours searching in difficult conditions in hopes of bringing her home safely.
While the search did not end the way anyone hoped, officials said the effort reflected a shared determination to help a family in crisis, far from home.
What comes next
The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences will determine how Krieger died. Andalusia police have not indicated that foul play is suspected, and officials praised her husband’s cooperation throughout. Any additional information is expected to come from city officials once the forensic examination is complete.
Our condolences go out to Linda Krieger’s husband, family and friends.