On April 8, 2024, 80-year-old Kay Prince Vest was reported missing from her home in West Bountiful, Utah, prompting the issuance of a Silver Alert. She was last seen leaving her residence at approximately 2:00 p.m., driving her 2017 silver Toyota Camry. Concerns for her well-being were heightened by the fact that she had memory issues, was easily confused, and did not drive at night.
Friends and neighbors described her as a sweet and joyful lady, noting that she had shown strong signs of dementia in the year leading up to her disappearance. A close friend, who had been delivering meals to her daily since her husband of 60 years passed away, became worried when she didn't return home that afternoon and subsequently contacted the police.
The search for Kay Vest extended beyond Utah as sightings of her and her vehicle were reported in Idaho. On the evening of her disappearance, she was seen in Ogden, Utah. The following day, on April 9, she was spotted in Downey, Idaho, roughly 118 miles north of her home. A concerned passerby who interacted with her in Downey noted that she seemed confused and upset, and had mentioned wanting to get back to Utah without using the interstate. This interaction provided a crucial lead for investigators, focusing their search efforts in southeastern Idaho. Despite this lead, a subsequent potential sighting of her car in Pocatello, Idaho, turned out to be a false alarm, leaving her loved ones and authorities in a state of uncertainty. As days turned into a week, the West Bountiful Police Department acknowledged that new leads were becoming scarce.
Tragically, the search for Kay Vest came to a somber conclusion on May 16, 2024. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office in Idaho notified the West Bountiful Police Department that a submerged vehicle had been discovered in the Weston Reservoir. The vehicle was identified as belonging to Kay Vest, and upon its removal from the water, a body was found inside. Investigators believe the deceased to be Kay Prince Vest based on personal items found within the vehicle and physical descriptions. Authorities stated that there were no initial signs of foul play. This discovery brought a devastating end to the month-long search that had garnered community support and concern. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death remains ongoing, with the West Bountiful Police Department working in cooperation with the Oneida County Sheriff's Office. An obituary lovingly remembered "Miss Kay" for her profound love for the lord, her unfathomable ability to connect with people, her shining smile, and tender hugs. The overview of this case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals with cognitive impairments and the heart-wrenching uncertainty that families and communities face during a missing person investigation, which in this instance, ended in a sorrowful discovery.Last Seen: Apr 8, 2024
