Douglas, Mich. — Crews have been working through the night in search of a missing 67-year-old woman, Nancy Louise Eichler-Oconnell, after she was last seen Thursday afternoon at her home in Kalamazoo Township.
According to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, Eichler-Oconnell was last spotted around 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, but her family reported that they had been unable to contact her since. She left her phone behind and did not have a vehicle. Authorities noted that Eichler-Oconnell suffers from a heart condition, adding to the urgency of the search.
Rescue teams from Hamilton, the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, and Michigan State Police have been conducting an extensive search in the Kalamazoo River area near Schultz Park. Deputies confirmed that a helicopter was seen circling the area, while most crews were focused on searching the water in boats.
Efforts to locate Eichler-Oconnell have also been supported by local police and fire departments from Douglas, Saugatuck, and Hamilton, as well as the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit.
The search extended into the early hours of Friday morning, with authorities continuing to look for any signs of the missing woman. Deputies are urging anyone who has information regarding Eichler-Oconnell’s whereabouts or has seen her recently to contact the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office at 269-673-0500 or Allegan County Central Dispatch at 269-673-3899.
The situation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to search the area and provide updates as more information becomes available. The community remains hopeful for her safe return.
