THPD investigating missing woman's house fire, disappearance

Updated- Acquaintances say Alice Oswald in known in the community for her work with animals. She reportedly also goes by the name Anita.
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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

The daughter of a missing elderly Terre Haute woman reported her mother missing Friday evening. Early this morning, officials believe a suspicious fire was started at the missing person's Second Avenue home.

According to Assistant Chief of Police Shawn Keen, of the Terre Haute Police Department,  officers and family have not been able locate Alice A. Oswald, 77, at the residence since her disappearance --- causing investigators to become suspicious of the fire started in the woman's  home just before 1 a.m. today. 

Terre Haute Fire Department crews arrived at the scene to find heavy smoke on the exterior of the house  and extinguished the fire inside. 

"The fire is being investigated as a possible arson and an evidence technician from the Terre Haute Police Department has processed Oswald’s residence," Keen said.

While Oswald remains missing today, officials of the Terre Haute Police Department are seeking assistance from the public and the Indiana State Police ---  with a statewide Silver Alert called for the woman this afternoon. Ultimately, the description of the woman and her vehicle have since been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.

Investigation revealed that Oswald was last seen Thursday, Nov. 9. around 2:30 p.m. at a West Terre Haute animal shelter,  Harmony Haven. Oswald's burgundy 2014 Honda CRV is also missing. The missing woman's daughter has reportedly checked multiple locations, including Oswald's residence in the 2300 block of Second Avenue -- in the time frame she has been missing -- without any success. 

Anyone having information regarding the disappearance of Alice Oswald is asked to contact the Terre Haute Police Department at 812 238-1661.  
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