Search underway in south central Kansas for missing Overland Park woman

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- An 81-year-old Overland Park woman, Jerry McConnell, has been missing for a week now.

Her son, Rick McConnell, says he filed the report last Friday after she didn’t make it back to Overland Park from Harrisonville, Missouri.

“There have been a lot of people who have put an enormous amount of effort to try to find my mother, and unfortunately, it hasn’t panned out yet, but they haven’t given up,” he said.

“Everyone keeps reminding us that even after this amount of time, she could still be found alive, so that’s just what we are hoping for.”

He believes she may have gotten lost on the drive back to Overland Park.

“It is incredibly apparent that she just got lost, turned around, passing the same intersection multiple times, many times, so close to her retirement community, but never quite made it there,” he added.

Her vehicle, a grey 2009 Honda Accord, was found in Cowley County, Kansas, which is south of Wichita, and hours away from her residence in Overland Park, Kansas.

“Basically, all hands are on deck. We are still looking for her. We've located her vehicle. She was not inside her vehicle,” Officer John Lacy, the Overland Park Police Department’s Public Information Officer, shared.

Sheriff Dave Falletti, with the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, says once the vehicle was recovered, a search was immediately started for her.

The area it was found in has been searched by helicopters, drones, horses, side-by-sides, four-wheelers, trackers, specialized dog teams and water rescue units, the Cowley County Sherriff’s Office said via Facebook.

Now, dozens of volunteers have been requested for a full-grid search Thursday. It took place Thursday morning in the 4000 block of 327th Road, Cambridge, Kansas.

McConnell is a Tallgrass Creek resident in Overland Park. She’s lived there since August of 2024

The retirement community sent FOX4 the following statement:  

“At Tallgrass Creek, the well-being of all who live and work at our community is always our highest priority. We are deeply concerned about Jerry, a Tallgrass Creek resident, and our thoughts and prayers remain focused on her safety. We are committed to continuing to work closely with authorities and supporting the resident’s family in all search efforts.”

Sheriff Falletti, of Cowley County, says the terrain where the search is being conducted is vast and hilly and on private property. He’s hopeful, though she’s survived after being missing for a week.

“If she is no longer with us here on this Earth, she knew she was headed to a better place,” her son Rick shared.

“First thing would be that we find Jerry alive and whatever level of well she can be after a week, but if that doesn’t pan out, then obviously some sort of resolution for myself and my sister.”

Rick McConnell has commended law enforcement and their efforts, from Overland Park to Cowley County.

“Once this got in the hands of the Overland Park Police Department, and their detective, things really started to progress quickly, but we had from Friday night, all day Saturday, all day Sunday, nothing happened because there was no detective assigned to this.”

If you see Jerry McConnell, please call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, call the Overland Park Police Department at (913)-895-6300.

O.P.P.D says there is evidence that Ms. McConnell was last near Severy, KS on the afternoon of 5/15/25. Investigators share she is also considered an ‘at-risk’ adult.