The disappearance of a Missouri couple from their isolated rural home has baffled investigators and left their family appealing for information about their whereabouts.
Leo Lindeman, 73, and his wife, Katherine Lindeman, 74, were last seen on September 15 and are believed to have disappeared the following day, according to the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office.
The couple lived with their small white dog, Itty Bitty, at a rural property near Anderson, a southwestern Missouri community in the foothills of the Ozarks.
Itty Bitty also vanished, police said. The Lindemans were officially reported missing on September 24, although authorities have not disclosed who filed the report.
The couple were described as “private people,” meaning it did not immediately seem unusual that neighbors had not heard from them, McDonald County Sheriff Robert Evenson told KNWA.
“We’ve got a bit of a mystery,” Evenson said.
Leo’s sister, Leza Lindeman, said the family was deeply concerned as the search continued. “We do love our brother and that’s why we’re here, is because we’re worried about them,” she told the outlet.
“If anybody has any information, even if you think it’s not important, please do give the police a call,” she added in a trembling voice.
Missouri couple Leo Lindeman, 73, and Katherine Lindeman, 74, were last seen on September 15 before disappearing from their rural home
The couple’s small white dog, Itty Bitty, is also missing. A formal missing persons report was filed on September 24
The McDonald County Sheriff’s Office released this missing persons poster for the couple. “We’ve got a bit of a mystery,” Sheriff Robert Evenson said
The sheriff said investigators obtained a search warrant for the Lindemans’ home several days after the couple was reported missing.
Investigators dusted the residence for fingerprints and collected electronic devices and trace evidence that could assist the case as the investigation progresses, Evenson told KNWA.
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Authorities also searched the property surrounding the home, as well as nearby properties, he said.
Leo’s niece, LaShawnda Lindeman, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that relatives and law enforcement had spent days searching the area around the house.
On Monday, family members went to the property with a private drone operator, who surveyed the area from 6 a.m. until 11 a.m. A search-and-rescue team and a dog then joined the effort for several more hours, she said.
More relatives returned to the residence on Tuesday.
Working with the sheriff’s office, another company deployed two additional drones, three more search dogs and a large team of people. The search continued throughout the day, LaShawnda said.
“Together, approximately 15 acres of property were extensively searched. Unfortunately, we did not find Leo, Katherine, or anything that gave us answers as to where they may be,” she said.
Leo’s relatives have pleaded for the couple to return and urged anyone with information to contact police. Leo and Itty Bitty are pictured together
Police have conducted a search of the couple’s home but have not uncovered any promising leads so far, the sheriff said. Katherine is pictured
Leo’s niece said family members, police and private companies have searched the area around the home (pictured) with drones and dogs for days but came back empty-handed
‘We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped search, shared their information, reached out, or offered support. Please continue sharing and helping us get the word out,’ LaShawnda continued.
‘We just want to bring them home and get answers,’ she concluded her post.
Sheriff Evenson told KODE12 that the investigation is ongoing, though there has been a ‘frustrating’ lack of evidence or leads thus far.
‘We’d like to have some leads, some solid leads, that will get us moving in the right direction, and I’m hopeful that will happen,’ he said.
