In a troubling development, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are actively searching for Diane Cooper, an 82-year-old woman who was reported missing after she failed to return home to Calgary on April 7. Cooper was last seen on April 6, fueling her vehicle at a gas station in Stettler, Alberta, before her whereabouts became unknown.
Video surveillance captured Cooper’s grey Toyota C-HR XLE, with Alberta licence plate LVA 978, in the Hoosier area at approximately 10:51 p.m. on April 6. This sighting has prompted a multi-jurisdictional search effort involving RCMP detachments across Alberta and Saskatchewan, as authorities work to piece together her movements and locate her.
Cooper’s family, particularly her granddaughter Zoe Cooper, expressed deep concern for her well-being. Zoe reported that her grandmother has mild dementia but is mostly herself, which adds to the urgency of the situation. “We miss her so much. We just want her back,” Zoe stated, highlighting the emotional toll this incident has taken on the family.
The last confirmed location of Cooper was just outside Veteran, Alberta, where she was seen traveling east on Highway 12. Despite receiving tips from various regions, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, none have been confirmed, leaving investigators with limited leads. Cpl. Teri-Ann Bakker of the RCMP noted, “The most credible information we have right now suggests that Diane Cooper was actually in Saskatchewan.” This statement underscores the complexity of the search as authorities navigate through various reports.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding Cooper’s intended destination or the reason for her travel to Saskatchewan. Cpl. Bakker also mentioned, “There’s no signs that she had packed anything or was going on a long trip,” further complicating the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The lack of preparation for an extended journey raises questions about her state of mind and the circumstances leading up to her last known sighting.
Cooper is described as five feet three inches tall, weighing around 100 pounds, with a slim build, white hair, blue eyes, and wearing eyeglasses. She was last seen dressed in a long, blue puffy jacket, which could aid in her identification should someone come across her. The search efforts are not only focused on urban areas but also extend into rural regions where she may have wandered.
The RCMP is urging anyone who may have seen Cooper or her vehicle to come forward with information. Zoe Cooper has made a public appeal, stating, “If you’re in rural Alberta or Saskatchewan, please keep an eye out.” The family’s hope is that someone may have seen her or her vehicle, which could lead to her safe return.
As the search continues, the community remains vigilant, and the RCMP are committed to finding Diane Cooper. The intersection of her age, health condition, and the circumstances of her disappearance heightens the urgency of the situation, prompting widespread concern and support from the public.
