California woman sought after reported missing

Cathleen Orchard is very worried about her sister, Karen Orchard.

Cathleen traveled to North Idaho from the San Diego area to help as authorities continue to search for Karen, 62, who has been missing since Saturday, March 25.

“Please help me find my sister,” reads a flyer Cathleen is posting anywhere she can.

A Kellogg resident for a decade, Karen is in the early stages of dementia, Cathleen said. Karen lives alone, but her sons live nearby.

“People know her in the area. They see her out walking her two Great Pyrenees,” Cathleen said, referring to her sister’s dogs, a large breed.

A police officer found the dogs Saturday, without their owner.

“It’s very unusual for her dogs to be loose. That was a red flag,” Cathleen said.

The officer brought the dogs to Karen’s home, but Karen wasn’t there. Cathleen said the officer checked again Sunday, and she still wasn’t there.

Karen’s son reported her missing Sunday.

Cathleen said inside Karen’s home, they discovered some of the clothing she often wears was gone, along with the pink boots she’s often seen in.

But wherever she is, Karen left her wallet behind.

Initial police reports reveal no suspicion of foul play and indicate Karen may be hitchhiking, something she has done previously.

“Her family anxiously awaits her safe return,” states the flyer Cathleen is circulating.

Anyone who sees Karen or who has information about her location is asked to contact the Kellogg Police Department at 208-786-9131 or the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office at 208-556-1114.