Lorraine Popowich, 76, disappeared from her rural property northeast of Athabasca on the evening of May 7, 2024. Described as fair complected with white hair, blue eyes and standing five feet one inch, she had gone out to look for cattle and did not return. Two dogs that went with her came back to the property without her.

Athabasca RCMP coordinated a large search that included search and rescue teams from nine communities — including Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie — volunteers, ground crews, and a helicopter with infrared. The multi-day effort covered undeveloped Crown land and surrounding terrain but produced no sign of Lorraine. The official search and rescue operation was called off on May 12, 2024, and the investigation remains open.

The circumstances of her disappearance — stepping out to check livestock and not being seen again while her dogs returned alone — leave key questions about what happened that evening. Anyone who was in the area northeast of Athabasca on May 7 or who has information about Lorraine’s movements is asked to come forward.