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3 weeks ago
7
A desperate manhunt is underway for an elderly California couple who vanished from the 'family friendly' nudist ranch where they live.
Stephanie Menard, 73, her husband, Daniel Menard , 79, and their dog Cuddles, were last seen at leaving their home at the Olive Dell nudist ranch in Colton, near San Bernardino, early on August 24.
The pair were reported missing to the Redlands Police Department by a friend the next day after failing to return.
As deputies began their search, the discovered the couple's unlocked car down the street from where they lived.
Officials have launched a manhunt for Stephanie Menard, 73, her husband, Daniel Menard , 79, after they went missing early August 24 morning
Officials also found Stephanie's purse and both of their cellphones inside their house.
According to ABC7, the couple are currently involved in a possible lawsuit against the nudist ranch over alleged harassment.
The pair are also very active church members and in the Olive Dell community.
In a missing persons Facebook post, authorities also noted that Daniel suffers dementia and diabetes.
Sandy Marinelli, a friend recalled: 'There's just nothing. Not even anything to go off of right now. It's very concerning because this is not normal for them at all.
'I just want them back. They don't deserve this. They're just good people. They go to church. They don't deserve any of this.
She further added that a neighbor first noticed the pair were missing after they did not show up for Sunday church.
'[They] went inside their home to see if they would be OK inside and they didn't find them in there.
'But, they found Stephanie's purse was in there, [her]cane was in there. [The] TV was left on, [the] computer was left on. It was just very suspicious for them to be gone,' she told CBS News.
As deputies began their search, the discovered the couple's unlocked car down the street from where they lived as well as Stephanie's purse and both of their cellphones inside their house
The pair were last seen at leaving their home at the Olive Dell nudist ranch. The ranch is comprised of RVs and small homes
Another friend of the couple, Tammie Wilkerson noted that there was 'no way' the couple walked away from their car and left their stuff behind.
'There's no way that Stephanie or Dan could have walked away from that car. She has a cane. It was at home, her purse, their cellphones - things they would never have left at home.
'They're very sweet people. There's not a mean bone in their body at all, which makes this very confusing,' she said.
In a missing persons Facebook post, authorities also noted that Daniel suffers dementia and diabetes
The couple's dog, Cuddles has also been missing since last week
The incident has left other residents in the area uneasy and worried about their own safety.
'I'm terrified. I haven't slept since this happened. I'm terrified that I'm gonna be next,' Wilkerson noted.
Police are yet to confirm whether any foul play is suspected.
Carl Baker, spokesperson for the City of Redlands said: 'I can't really speak to that; we're certainly investigating every avenue.
'We did have search dogs from Riverside Sheriff's Office and a helicopter from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office.'
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