The search continues for a Red Deer woman that went missing 72 days ago and her family is desperately seeking answers into her disappearance.
Lorie Joy Nichols, 49, was last seen on the morning of Feb. 23rd in Red Deer. Her husband, Greg Nichols reported her missing later that evening.
Lorie is described as 5’2” tall with a slender build. She has hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a three-quarter length charcoal winter jacket with gray/black lace up winter boots, medium blue tight fitting jeans with discernible tears to the knees and thighs. She is believed to have a gray woolen loose fitting toque and an over shoulder dark green/black strapped bag with white and yellow lettering.
“The search is active. We just want her to know that we desperately want her to come home,” said Greg. “We are not quitting – we just won’t. This is the most consuming thing to me and it will remain that way until the day we get her back. Lorie is my wife and I miss her dearly.”
He added since her disappearance there has not been any activity on her credit cards and bank cards. She did not have a cell phone nor access to a vehicle as she does not have her driver’s license.
Greg is hopeful that Lorie will come home soon. May 4th is Lorie’s longtime best friend’s birthday and for the past 35 years, Lorie has always wished her a happy birthday on that day. As well, with Mother’s Day on Sunday, Greg said he is hopeful Lorie will return home to see her two sons.
“And May 25th is our 25th wedding anniversary. I hope this is a powerful month for her,” said Greg. “I am focusing on the positive and that somehow this makes a difference.”
The Red Deer RCMP also continue to search for Lorie’s whereabouts. Cpl. Karyn Kay said in the two months since Lorie was reported missing, police have conducted numerous interviews with friends and acquaintances and have canvassed numerous businesses and agencies.
“RCMP has conducted several searches in the area and have followed up on a number of information tips from the public and the RCMP has been in contact with other police jurisdictions and are working with the K Division Missing Persons Unit,” said Kay. “We have activated a number of resources to put together as complete a picture as possible of Ms. Nichols’ movements in the time leading up to her being reported missing. We continue to work to connect with those people Ms. Nichols was in contact with who may be able to provide us with new information. The RCMP has a number of avenues that we are continuing to follow up on.”
She added the investigation is ongoing and the RCMP won’t stop looking for Lorie until she has been located.
Anyone with information on Lorie’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575 or Greg at 403-596-4127.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
