Tragic End to Search for Missing Posey County Woman with Dementia: Lola Davis Found Deceased in Owensboro
POSEY COUNTY, IN — What began as a desperate and heartfelt search for a beloved 89-year-old woman with dementia has ended in profound sorrow. Lola Davis, the subject of a statewide Silver Alert issued Monday evening, has been found deceased in Owensboro, Kentucky — bringing a tragic close to a day-long effort by family, law enforcement, and volunteers to bring her home safely.
The search for Lola began early Monday morning, after her family reported that she had walked out of her home sometime between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. The residence is located in the rural area of Middle Mount Vernon and Ford Road in Mount Vernon, Posey County. With her quiet demeanor and cognitive challenges due to dementia, family members were immediately alarmed when they noticed she was missing.
“She’s been very quiet with dementia and just kind of reserved and everything,” said her granddaughter Tara Gilmore during the search. “She’s never done anything like this before. We’re just praying she’s safe.”
Responding swiftly to the emergency, local law enforcement agencies, multiple fire departments, and search and rescue teams mobilized across the area. Authorities launched a coordinated ground and aerial effort, using drones, K-9 units, and even mounted patrols from the Evansville Police Department to comb through thick vegetation and uneven terrain. By 5 p.m., crews had narrowed the focus of their search to a half-mile radius surrounding the Davis residence, believing at the time she likely hadn’t traveled far.
But sometime later that evening, the heartbreaking news came. The Indiana State Police canceled the Silver Alert, and Daviess County Coroner Jeff Jones confirmed that Lola Davis had been located deceased inside a vehicle in Owensboro, over an hour away from where she was last seen. The circumstances surrounding how she ended up in Owensboro remain under active investigation.
As of now, Indiana State Police have taken over the case. They have not released further information about the condition of the vehicle, who it belonged to, or how Lola may have gotten inside it. Autopsy results are expected to provide more insight into the cause of death, though foul play has not been publicly suggested at this time.
A Community United in Grief
The news of Lola Davis’ passing has devastated her family and shaken the tight-knit community that held out hope all day for a miracle. Volunteers, neighbors, and strangers alike had joined the search, moved by the urgency of the situation and the vulnerability of a woman battling dementia.
“She was a sweet soul,” said one community member who joined the search party. “We didn’t know her personally, but we felt like we did. You don’t just sit by when someone’s grandma is missing. Everyone did what they could.”
Social media was flooded with prayers and hopeful messages throughout the day — all now turning into expressions of grief, heartbreak, and condolences.
Remembering Lola Davis
Lola Davis is being remembered by loved ones as a gentle, kind-hearted woman who loved her family deeply. Her diagnosis of dementia had become a challenge in recent years, but it never dulled her warmth or her quiet sense of grace. Though reserved, those closest to her say she had a smile that could light up a room and a calming presence that anchored generations of her family.
“She was our rock,” her granddaughter shared. “Even when she didn’t say much, just having her in the room made everything feel steady. Losing her like this — it’s just so hard.”
Continuing the Investigation
As authorities work to determine the full timeline of events that led to Lola’s tragic death, they are urging anyone who may have seen her or noticed anything unusual in the area between Mount Vernon and Owensboro on Monday to come forward.
The Posey County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police continue to collaborate on the case, and updates will be shared with the public as the investigation unfolds.
Final Reflections
Lola Davis’ death is a painful reminder of the dangers elderly individuals with dementia can face when they wander. It is also a testament to the power of community — of people coming together in times of crisis, refusing to give up hope.
As her family begins to process this unimaginable loss, they ask for privacy and prayers. A memorial service will be announced in the coming days.
May Lola Davis rest in eternal peace, and may her story inspire greater awareness and compassion for those living with dementia and their families. 🕊️