Davis Junction, Ill. – A 68-year-old woman reported missing early Wednesday, March 4, was found dead later that afternoon after a large multi-agency search in Davis Junction, authorities said.
According to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called around 5 a.m. after a 911 report of a missing person in the 15,000 block of E. Oak Tree Drive. Investigators determined Dana McKinney, who suffered from dementia, left the residence at about 1:10 a.m.
Sheriff’s office K9 units tracked from the home to Illinois Route 72, where the scent was lost. The agency said two separate canine teams confirmed the track.
Because of the circumstances, the Boone County Search and Rescue Team and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team were activated to assist, the sheriff’s office said. About 75 search-and-rescue personnel from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin responded. Resources included K9 teams, drones and ground search teams.
Search efforts continued through the morning and early afternoon with additional canine tracking attempts, extensive drone operations and coordinated ground searches conducted by foot, vehicle and side-by-side utility vehicles, officials said. In total, more than 1,100 acres were searched.
McKinney was located deceased at about 2:30 p.m. in a body of water after traveling roughly one mile from her residence, the sheriff’s office said. An autopsy will be conducted by the Ogle County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause of death, and foul play is not suspected, officials said.
Agencies assisting included Monroe Center Township Fire Protection District, Winnebago County EMA, Carroll County EMA, Ogle County EMA, the Salvation Army, Illinois State Police Air Operations and the Ogle County Coroner’s Office, among others.
Route 72 commuters in the area saw increased emergency activity during the search.
The sheriff’s office also thanked Monroe Center Community Church for allowing personnel to use its facilities during the operation.
