THPD announces $5K reward for help finding missing woman

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News\

While a Terre Haute woman last seen just more than one month ago remains missing, officials announced today that an anonymous donor has created a $5,000  reward for information leading to her whereabouts.

Sgt. Troy Davis said it was not typical for Alice "Anita" Oswald, 77,  to just take off for a period of time. 

"It's certainly suspicious in nature that she's been gone for this long,"Davis told  reporters during a press conference held at police headquarters this afternoon, adding that while detectives have received multiple tips, none of them have involved a possible location at this point.

Chief John Plasse believes someone in the community could know just enough information that could potentially be "the one little piece of the puzzle that is all we are needing to help locate her."

"A reward of up to $5,000 is available for any information leading to her location ---or, in the case it is determined to be foul play --- for information leading to an arrest," he said.

Oswald was last seen the evening of Nov. 9 at a northside heating and cooling business just after visitng a  West Terre Haute animal shelter, where she volunteered to care for cats and dogs at the site for many years.

Plasse said the investigation has been ongoing since the woman was reported missing by her daughter the following day. In addition to declaring a statewide Silver Alert, detectives have been hopeful that someone might have seen Oswald or her vehicle ---- a burgandy-colored Honda CR-V--- since her disappearance and have reached out to the community for information that could help solve the case.

Det. Starla Neidigh explained that investigation in Oswald's disappearance case has included searches of bodies of water and fly overs with no results.

Meanwhile, in all missing person cases, Plasse, Neidigh and Davis agree time is key. 

​They are optimistic the $5,000 financial incentive will catch the attention of anyone who might know something and encourage them to come forward. 

"I hope we can get a lead, find her and get her safe and return her home," Plasse said.

Contact the Terre Haute Poice Department at 812-244-2227 or 812-244-2218. You may also call Wabash Valley Crime Stoppers at 812-238-STOP or visit the webstie at http://www.wvcrimestoppers.org with any information regarding the case.
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