Williams’ Disappearance Still a Mystery

Massive Weekend Search Doesn’t Solve Missing Person Case

By Brian Nowlin, Staff Writer

It has now been well over a week and the mystery of Kathleen Williams’ whereabouts continues in Lunenburg. Victoria Police Chief Keith Phillips and Kenbridge Fire and Rescue Chief Rodney Newton hosted over 100 volunteers this past weekend at the firehouse as units and departments from throughout the state searched again all weekend.

Victoria Police Department was assisted on Wednesday by local search and rescue resources to attempt to locate Mrs. Williams. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday saw assistance coming from Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Lunenburg Sheriff’s Office, Kenbridge Police Department, Nottoway Sheriff’s Office, numerous search and rescue organizations from around the state and local emergency services personnel.

The search on Thursday through Saturday was coordinated by Virginia Department of Emergency Management Search and Rescue leaders with operations based out of Victoria Fire and Rescue.  Methodical searches were planned based on known information to attempt to locate Mrs. Williams.  As the search continued the search area expanded from the area immediately around the residence to an approximately 2-mile radius around the residence.  Areas were searched with dog teams, trackers, ground teams, and equine teams.  Areas around several bodies of water were searched with no evidence found and no dives have been conducted at this time.  On Saturday there were approximately 100 personnel assisting in the search. The investigation is continuing as a missing person case led by Victoria Police Department with assistance from other local and state law enforcement.

Chief Phillips says that to this point here whereabouts remains an ongoing investigation and despite the massive search effort and area covered during the search, there has been no resolution to this case.

He would go on to note that his department continues to check into any possible leads and if there is anyone with information that could be helpful to please contact the local law enforcement offices. It is unknown if she left on foot or in a vehicle and sources indicate that she may have early onset Dementia and is Bi Polar. Williams is reportedly not on her medication and has a concealed carry permit and is believed to be armed with a .380 caliber pistol.

Williams disappeared from her home on Saturday, January 2, 2016. She was last seen around 3:00 pm on Saturday when her husband left their home on 10^th Street in Victoria and went to a local store. When he returned from the shopping trip around 4:00 pm he came in the home and realized that she was not there.

According to information from the family, her pocketbook and wallet along with other items that she would normally carry were still at the home location.  Their son, who has special needs, was also at the house and Kathleen has never left him alone in the past, making the disappearance even more strange.

The family informed the Victoria Police Department about her being missing later on Saturday after initially trying to locate her. She has been put into the National Missing Persons Registry.

Chief Phillips says that they are continuing the investigation and search, but at this point there have been no signs or leads as to what happened. Anyone who can offer any information or may have seen Mrs. Williams is asked to call The Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office at 434-696-4452 or Victoria Police Department at 434-696-2334.