Monroe County Sheriff’s Office asking for help in search for missing 88-year-old woman

PARIS, Mo. — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for assistance with a missing person investigation.  

Betty Hayes, 88, was reported missing at approximately 4:24 p.m. Dec. 17. The last known contact with Hayes was by a family member on the evening of Dec. 16.  She was believed to have been at her home in Holliday, Mo., at that time.  

A search for Hayes near her home was conducted on Dec. 17, and it was expanded to a large-scale air and ground search throughout the day on Dec. 18. The search was conducted by law enforcement, firefighters, volunteers, and a Missouri State Highway Patrol aircraft.  Searches of the area around her residence by family, neighbors, friends and law enforcement since have continued.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office initiated a Silver Advisory for Hayes on Dec. 15, and with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, it is actively investigating the disappearance of Hayes.  

“It’s important that we consider all possibilities and follow up on all possible leads,” Monroe County Sheriff Joe Colston said in a press release. “We are asking for anyone who may have had contact with Ms. Hayes leading up to the time she was reported missing to contact us with those details.  We also are asking if anyone has any information about Ms. Hayes or her possible whereabouts to contact the sheriff’s office.”

Hayes is a white female with blonde/gray hair, blue eyes, approximately 5-foot-2 and 86 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a dark colored stocking hat and a dark coat with purple sweat pants. It is possible her clothing was changed before she was reported missing.  

Anyone with information about Hayes should contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 660-327-4060.