The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office along with other first responders and search teams have been conducting a sweeping search for Gwen Jenell Collins – a much-loved 62-year-old woman who suffers from cataracts and cognitive impairment.
Collins disappeared from her home in Gibsonville on Friday, August 9.
Since area stream waters were very high at that time due to the massive rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby, there is concern that Collins may have fallen into Reedy Fork Tributary.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office announced that it is holding a news conference regarding Collins. It will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at Fire District 28 at 6619 NC Highway 61 N in Gibsonville.
The Sheriff’s Office often sends the media missing persons announcements in order to enlist the help of the public; however, in this case, the office has sent out three announcements, issued a special alert, and taken the rare step of calling a press conference to update the media and public on the search.
Searchers have used drones, planes, boats, land vehicles and dogs in an attempt to find Collins – a search that at times has been impeded by the residual high water levels in area streams and creeks due to the tropical storm.
A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said this case had received a great deal of public interest, perhaps because the woman has vision issues, is cognitively impaired, went missing not long ago and did so in the wake of a major storm.
Also, increasing interest in the case is the fact that devastated family members are thanking those who are searching and are publicly asking everyone for help.
An interview on FOX 8 News showed Collins’ heartbroken husband in tears describing his love for her and talking about what a wonderful person she was.
“She would do anything for anybody,” the grieving husband said.
Collins was last seen at 6159-A Bellflower Road in Gibsonville. She’s a 62-year-old black female, 5’1’’ tall, who was wearing a pink nightgown. She’s believed to be barefoot. The last known sighting of Collins was on Friday, Aug. 9, at the Bellflower Road in Gibsonville sometime between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
A Silver Alert has been issued due to Collins’ cognitive impairments.
A statement from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office reads: “We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the community’s continued support and assistance. If you see something that may help in locating Ms. Collins, please do not hesitate to say something. Every piece of information could make a significant difference.”
The statement also thanked the local agencies that are working with the Sheriff’s Office in the search effort, including the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, the Greensboro Fire Department, Guilford County Fire and Rescue, Guilford County Emergency Management and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
If you have any information regarding Gwen Collins, authorities ask that you contact Detective S. Shanks at 336-641-5966 or call Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.
