photo by: Lawrence Police Department

Lawrence Police are searching for Wanda Dyer.

The search for a 74-year-old Lawrence woman has expanded into neighboring Johnson County after she was reported missing nearly three weeks ago.

Wanda Dyer is a 5-foot-2 African American woman with signs of dementia who has short gray hair and was last seen wearing a black coat with a pink lining, or possibly a hoodie, and multicolored pants. Police are asking people who’ve seen her to call dispatchers at (785) 843-0250.

Dyer went missing on March 21 after she wrote her husband a note saying she was going to the bank, but she never returned, as the Journal-World reported.

“The short answer is: Our Wanda Dyer missing person case is still active, and we continue to follow leads regularly and proactively investigate,” said Laura McCabe, a spokesperson for the Lawrence Police Department, on Wednesday afternoon.

She said that police have poured numerous resources into the search and have been following up on leads since Dyer was reported missing on March 21.

“Unfortunately, none have panned out,” McCabe said.

McCabe said the best thing to do was to continue to search and circulate her photograph throughout the community. She said the department has also reached out to Johnson County media outlets to circulate her photograph and to aid in the search where possible. At one point early in the investigation, Dyer had been reported as being on the side of the road walking toward Eudora.

“The best thing we can do now is ask people to call the moment they see her. She is not dangerous. This is a woman who possibly needs our help, and if someone sees Wanda, they should feel free to approach her, ask her name, and talk to Wanda while contacting LKPD,” McCabe said.

In addition to the police effort, community members have organized a group on Facebook, “Bring Wanda Home,” where residents can report sightings and coordinate search parties.

The next major group search is scheduled for Saturday in the Eudora area. Community members over the age of 18 are invited to help with the search beginning at 8 a.m. at Lucy Kaegi Park, 1638 Elm St., Eudora.

Searchers are encouraged to dress appropriately for wooded areas and cold and wet weather. The search is planned to last all day.

photo by: Courtesy of Lawrence Police Department

Police are looking for Wanda Dyer.