Authorities have launched a search for an elderly California couple who mysteriously disappeared from a nudist ranch last week.
Stephanie Menard, 73, her husband, Daniel Menard, 79, and their dog Cuddles, were last seen leaving their home at the Olive Dell nudist ranch early on the morning of August 24.
A friend reported the couple missing to the Redlands Police Department the next day.
When officers began their search, they discovered the couple’s unlocked car at the end of the street where they lived.
Authorities have launched a search for Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel Menard, 79, after they went missing early on the morning of August 24.
Officials also found Stephanie’s purse and both cell phones inside her home.
In a missing person Facebook In addition, authorities also noted that Daniel suffers from dementia and diabetes.
Sandy Marinelli, a friend remembered: ‘There’s nothing. Not even anything to go on at this point. It’s very worrying because this is not normal for them at all.
“I just want them back. They don’t deserve this. They’re good people. They go to church. They don’t deserve any of this.
He added that a neighbor first noticed the couple was missing after they failed to show up for church on Sunday.
‘They entered their house to see if they were okay inside and they didn’t find them there.
“But they found Stephanie’s purse was there, her cane was there, the TV was on, the computer was on. It was very suspicious that they were gone,” he said. CBS News.
When officers began their search, they discovered the couple’s unlocked car down the street from where they lived, as well as Stephanie’s purse and two cell phones inside their home.
The couple was last seen leaving their home at the Olive Dell nudist ranch.
Another friend of the couple, Tammie Wilkerson, said there was “no way” the couple would walk away from their car and leave their things behind.
‘There’s no way Stephanie or Dan could have walked away from that car. She has a cane. She was at home, her purse, her cell phones, things they would never have left at home.
“They are very sweet people. There is not one iota of evil in them, which makes this whole thing very confusing,” she said.
According ABC7The couple is currently involved in a potential lawsuit against the nudist ranch for alleged harassment.
The couple are also very active members of the Olive Dell church and community.
In a Facebook post about missing persons, authorities also noted that Daniel suffers from dementia and diabetes.
The couple’s dog, Cuddles, has also been missing since last week.
Friends have revealed there was “no way” the couple would have left their things behind and Stephanie used a cane to walk.
The incident has left other residents in the area uneasy and worried for their own safety.
“I’m terrified. I haven’t slept since this happened. I’m scared I’m next,” Wilkerson said. noted.
But while friends of the couple believe there may have been foul play in the incident, officials have so far found no evidence of it.
Carl Baker, a spokesman for the city of Redlands, said: “I can’t really speak to that; we’re certainly investigating all avenues.”
‘We had search dogs from the Riverside Sheriff’s Office and a helicopter from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office.’