By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A 48-year-old Centralia woman seems to have vanished, months ago, police say.
Gina D. Schmidt, described as a vulnerable adult, was reported missing in early May and a search of her apartment revealed that in all likelihood, she hadn’t been home for two or more months, according to the Centralia Police Department.
[1]Gina D. Schmidt
“It appears that most of her clothing and personal belongings were still present, giving the impression that when she left for the last time, she fully intended to return,” police said in a news release yesterday.
Detectives are now turning to the public, asking for assistance in locating the woman as they’ve run into a dead end in the case.
They say the investigation to this point has been fruitless, despite interviews with all of Schmidt’s known acquaintances and family. Nobody officers have spoken with has seen her since mid-February, according to police.
The last place police know for certain that she was, was at Providence Centralia Hospital on Feb. 15. Police say she was discharged at 11:30 p.m. that night.
Department spokesperson Officer John Panco said he didn’t know why Schmidt was hospitalized, but he believed it was an emergency room visit.
Her home is more than two miles across town, at the 300 block of North Tower Avenue.
Panco said it was May 7 when a woman who works for the area agency on aging made the missing person report. He didn’t know if Schmidt was a client there.
Schmidt has a history of alcohol abuse and medical issues including seizures, according to polIce.
Centralia police detective David Clary is interested in hearing from anyone who might have any information regarding her whereabouts.
She is described as a white female who is 5-feet 2-inches tall, weighing about 125 pounds, with graying blond shoulder length hair and blue eyes.
Centralia police say she was last seen dressed in blue sweatpants with a tan and multi-colored long polyester coat, and she had a white tube sock on her arm. Panco said he didn’t know why she wore a sock on her arm.
Clary can be reached a the Centralia Police Department, with a reference to case number 14A3683.