Madras woman missing for over a week; police seek tips

Madras police turned to the public Tuesday for any leads to the whereabouts of a 67-year-old Madras woman who left home and has not been heard from in more than a week.

A Madras officer took the initial report around 2 p.m. on Monday, May 1st of a possible missing person, said Police Chief Tanner Stanfill.

A roommate of Marilyn Sue Lancaster called police, concerned her roommate and friend had not been heard from since Saturday, April 29, Stanfill said.

It appeared to the roommate that Lancaster had left home with little clothing, and had not left a note or any information that she would be leaving, he said.

At the time of the report, Lancaster had not been gone for very long, so an “attempt to locate” welfare check was sent to Central Oregon law enforcement, as well as those on the coast, the police chief said.

A Madras officer again contacted Lancaster’s roommate for an update around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and she still had not been heard from, Stanfill said.

Lancaster does not own a cellphone, he said, but friends say it’s not normal for her to leave without notifying someone where she will be.

Lancaster is described as a white female, about 5-foot-2 and 140 pounds. She is believed to have left Madras in a blue 2006 Subaru Outback with Oregon license plate 141 CRZ.

Stanfill said Lancaster is known to enjoy the outdoors and fishing. She does have some difficulty walking.

Lancaster and the vehicle have been entered into national law enforcement databases, and a new “attempt to locate-missing person” alert has been sent to law enforcement across the state, Stanfill said.

Anyone with information about Lancaster’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Madras Police Officer J.J. Wallace at 541-475-2424.