In the late autumn of 2019, a sense of profound concern settled over a family in Richmond, British Columbia. On November 21st, 75-year-old Feng Qin Zhou, a woman living with dementia, vanished from her home on Firbridge Way. She was a petite woman, standing at five feet two inches, with white hair and brown eyes. On the day she disappeared, she was wearing a pink long-sleeved shirt, a long black hooded coat, black pants, and pink shoes.
A significant challenge in her safe return was that she only spoke Mandarin and, due to her dementia, was likely to appear confused or disoriented to those who might encounter her. Her family, gripped with worry, immediately reported her missing, sparking an extensive search and a heartfelt plea to the public for assistance.
The response from both law enforcement and the local community was immediate and widespread. The Richmond RCMP initiated a comprehensive search, utilizing various specialized units, including the Lower Mainland Tactical Troop, police dog services, and air support to scour urban and rural landscapes. They diligently reviewed hours of video surveillance and followed up on every lead and reported sighting. Alongside the official efforts, a massive volunteer movement emerged, with hundreds of concerned citizens organizing search parties. Using the social media app WeChat, they coordinated their efforts, sharing information and covering vast areas in the hope of finding Ms. Zhou. In a particularly poignant effort, volunteers even played a recorded message from her daughter in the streets, hoping the familiar voice might reach her.
Despite these exhaustive and heartfelt efforts, days turned into weeks, and weeks into months with no sign of Feng Qin Zhou. The numerous reported sightings, while initially offering glimmers of hope, did not lead to her discovery. As time passed, the avenues of investigation began to diminish, leaving her family in a state of prolonged anguish. In April 2021, 17 months after she was last seen, the Richmond RCMP renewed their appeal for information, a somber testament to the enduring mystery of her disappearance. Her daughter, Julie Zhang, expressed the profound pain her family endured, yet held onto a sliver of hope that her mother might still be safe somewhere. The case of Feng Qin Zhou is a heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerability of individuals with dementia and the deep and lasting impact a person's disappearance has on their loved ones and the wider community. Her whereabouts remain unknown.Last Seen: Nov 21, 2019
