As night falls, Andover woman remains missing — With Updates

Chester Police Chief Rick Cloud and Fire Chief Matt Wilson confer with Vermont State Police Search and Rescue on a plan around 11 a.m. Photos by the Chester Telegraph.

UPDATE 10 p.m. Search and rescue teams will resume the search for Lynn Perry tomorrow at 6 a.m. The Telegraph will have updates as information becomes available. Tonight, an air-conditioned, inflatable structure was set up next to Rowell’s Inn to give search teams a place to recover from the heat, which is expected to reach 90 degrees again tomorrow.

UPDATE 9 a.m. Wednesday July 29:  According to Vermont State Police Lt. Timothy Oliver, there were no reported sightings of Lynn Perry overnight. Today, a number of state and local agencies are resuming and widening their search. Asked about reports on Facebook that civilians with all terrain vehicles were planning on searching trails in the area Oliver said, “Please do, that would be awesome.” With temperatures rising into the 90s today, anyone going out to search should plan ahead, take plenty of water and dress appropriately.

“We have databases that the search and rescue community uses to search for people with dementia,” said Neil Van Dyke, Search and Rescue Coordinator for the State of Vermont, “That gives us statistical data on the distance usually traveled and the terrain where they are typically found.” These basic statistics help the teams plan their search. According to the database, most are found within 1 mile of home. “Of course there are wide variations in behavior,” noted Van Dyke.

Approximately 75 people participated in the search yesterday, some coming from as far as Burlington. As of 9 a.m., about 30 were working this morning. Agencies and organizations that have worked in the search are Vermont State Police, Vermont Game Wardens, Chester Fire, Chester Police, Londonderry Technical Rescue, New England K9 Search and Rescue, Vermont K9 Search and Rescue, Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, Springfield Fire, Springfield Ambulance, Weston Fire, Ludlow Fire, Proctorsville Fire, Ascutney Fire and Windham Fire.

UPDATE 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 29: State Police re-established its Mobile Command Center at Rowell’s Inn as teams continued to search for Lynn Perry.

© 2015 Telegraph Publishing LLC

A 56-year-old Andover woman who has been the subject of a multi-department search and rescue operation was still missing  as sunset came tonight. “We’re shutting it down for now,” said State Police Sergeant Mike Studin at 9 p.m. “There are still some canine units out there and state police cruisers will be out all night looking for any sign of her.”

Lynn Perry, who suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, was last seen by her daughter at their residence on Route 11 around midnight Monday.

She was reported missing around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, July 28. According to State Police Lt. Timothy Oliver, the police searched the nearby roads first before moving into the woods.

Lynn Perry. Click to enlarge. Photo provided

A radius search was conducted, then expanded and would continue as long as it is safe for search and rescue teams to operate.“At dark,” said Oliver, “State Police patrols on the roads will be looking for Perry.” Oliver called on the public to look out for the missing woman. “Once we get a ‘point last seen’ we can put our attention and resources there.”

For the time being, attention is being paid to areas in the town of Windham. “What makes it hard is that she got such a big head start,” said Studin.

Police said Perry is  5-foot 5, 140 pounds with white hair. She was last seen wearing blue pajamas and no shoes.  Anyone with information regarding Lynn Perry is asked to call VSP-Rockingham at 875-2112.

Rowell’s Inn served as a command post for the search.

Neil Van Dyke, Search and Rescue Coordinator for the Vermont State Department of Public Safety, was on scene at Rowell’s Inn as crews fanned out for another search attempt in the early evening of Tuesday. “We want to emphasize how important it is for people to be vigilant and aware and call us even if you are not sure.” Van Dyke also urged people to check their property, especially garages, sheds and other  outbuildings.

Chester Fire Chief Matt Wilson arrived around 10:30 a.m. with four firefighters and two trucks of equipment. “We’ll have more people on the scene later today,” Wilson said at the time. “We brought all the search and rescue gear in case a rescue becomes technical.”

In addition to a large number of State Police officers and Chester firefighters, game wardens and volunteer search and rescue teams with dogs were on the scene at 6:30 p.m.

The search will start up again tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. according to Studin, “Although I hope we find her before then.”

The Chester Fire Department brought a full complement of equipment in case a rescue required it.

Trooper Benjamin Barton of the state police search and rescue team.

Shawn Cunningham, Cynthia Prairie and Leah M. Cunningham contributed to this article.