Wanda Dyer, 74: Woman With Dementia Vanishes From Kansas In 2025
She reportedly left a note saying she was going to pay a bill.
Last year, Kansas authorities, as well as a concerned community, looked for Wanda Dyer. The 74-year-old was last seen on March 21, 2025, captured in surveillance footage around Lawrence and Eudora. Her husband of 46 years, David Dyer, shared details of their final communication before she went missing.
“She left a note saying she was going to go pay an AT&T bill, and the note was timed at 8:33 (a.m.),” David told KSHB 41 News last year. “She used to leave me notes.” He added, “It’s like a nightmare that doesn’t end. It’s frightening. I worry about her because, like I said, she has dementia.”
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Wanda’s family shared that she struggles with memory loss and confusion, leading to concerns that she may have wandered off during an episode. It is believed she traveled on foot in the early morning hours. Later, surveillance footage captured her at a Bank of America near 9th and Ohio Street in Lawrence.
Phoenix Dyer, Wanda’s daughter, last saw her mother just 24 hours before she disappeared.
“I miss my mom a lot,” she said. “I talked with her three times a day if I didn’t see her.” With her mother still missing, Phoenix is grappling with the heartbreak of not being able to say how much she loves her. “We need to find her. Eventually, we will. It’s just scary right now because we don’t know where she’s at.”
Later, police reported another sighting of Wanda Dyer, this time in Eudora, about 15 minutes from Lawrence. The image, recorded on the evening of March 21, the day she went missing, led authorities to believe she walked to the neighboring town.
“She’s a very good walker and walks fast for her age,” David Dyer said. “She used to load that (a shopping cart) up and say she was going to go (to Kansas City to) see her mom or her aunt or her cousin — who all three are deceased — but she couldn’t remember they’re deceased, so I would remind her that they weren’t around anymore, and she’d give up the pursuit.”
As investigators work to piece together details, the Dyer family and local community remain active in the search for Wanda. The case is ongoing. While tips initially came in steadily, the flow of information has slowed with time.
“We’ve utilized our drones and K9s as warranted,” LKPD public information officer Laura McCabe told KSHB News. “Our city cameras have also been useful in investigating leads.”
McCabe added that a photo of Wanda has been shared with hospitals throughout Lawrence and Kansas City. Meanwhile, David expressed gratitude to everyone who has joined the effort to find his wife.
“I just can’t figure out where she’s at and how she’s doing,” he said. “It’s terrifying.”
Wanda Dyer: What To Know
At the time of her disappearance, Wanda Dyer stood 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed approximately 120 pounds. She has short gray hair and brown eyes. Her middle name is “Duane.” Wanda was last seen wearing a black coat with a hood, white socks, light blue tie-dye or camouflage pants, black slippers or shoes, and a large dark gray/brown backpack.
Anyone with information to help this case is urged to contact the Lawrence Police Department at (785) 423-4623. The agency case number is L25014163.
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Case Number: L25014163
Agency: Lawrence Police Department
Phone: (785) 423-4623
Email:
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