An elderly couple in their 70s were still missing Aug. 29 after disappearing from a Southern California nudist ranch over the weekend.
Redlands Police are attempting to find Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel Menard, 79, after a friend reported them missing Aug. 25 from the Olive Dell Ranch RV Park in Colton, California, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The park is a popular nudist resort for families and couples.
The couple was last seen at about 10 a.m. Saturday at their home in the RV park. Police consider them to be permanent residents at the park.
Police say the Menards’ car was found down the road and was unlocked with the keys inside. Stephanie Menard’s purse was also found inside their home, along with both of their cellphones.
The couple’s dog, a small white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing, according to Redlands Police.
Their son, who lives out of state and declined to give his name, was not worried about the disappearance, saying his parents often left the camp without telling anyone.
“It’s only been two days,” the son told The Epoch Times. “I’m not worried. My mom and dad are free spirits. They go where they want. The fact that one of their neighbors hasn’t seen them in a day isn’t a surprise.”
The detective looking into the disappearance interviewed the couple’s son following his call with The Epoch Times, as the investigation continued Thursday.
The couple is considered at risk, according to Redlands Police spokesman Carl Baker.
“Daniel is diabetic,” Baker told The Epoch Times. “Really both of them are considered at risk due to their age.”
The investigation is ongoing. Police haven’t received any other reports of missing people from the park in the past 20 years but couldn’t say whether they thought the couple was in danger.
“We’re looking wherever the investigation takes us,” Baker said.
Stacey Menard of Maine, who is a relative of Daniel Menard, said she spoke with other family members about the disappearance. They had not heard from the couple this week, she said.
“We’re all praying they’re found safe,” Stacey Menard told The Epoch Times.
Police were flying helicopters and drones over ravines and around the nudist ranch property, checking both sides of the area’s canyon roads. They were also searching the ranch property with bloodhounds, the Facebook post said.
“We are praying for God to bring them home safe and sound,” Gibbs wrote.
