In the early morning hours of February 15, 2025, 65-year-old Irene Webster Frye was last seen walking near the intersection of Burke Road and College Avenue in Shelby, North Carolina. She was reportedly heading in the direction of Cleveland Avenue. At the time of her disappearance, Frye was described as a white female, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds, with medium-length brown hair and blue eyes.
Concerns for her well-being were heightened due to the fact that she is believed to suffer from a cognitive impairment. The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons subsequently issued a Missing Endangered Alert for Frye. She had previously mentioned wanting to go to Morristown, Tennessee, and authorities believe she may have been attempting to travel there.
Irene Frye, who also may use the alias Daphne Poston, left her residence at 1401 Red Road in Shelby before she was last seen. It is believed she was on foot, as she does not have access to a vehicle. She may have been wearing a blue jean jacket and blue jean pants at the time she went missing and was possibly carrying a black-and-white purse. It has also been noted that she sometimes walks with the assistance of a cane. A distinct physical characteristic is that while she has dentures, she often does not wear them. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are concerning to law enforcement and her community, given her cognitive condition and the potential vulnerabilities associated with it.
The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency investigating the disappearance of Irene Frye, with Investigator Skyler McMahan assigned to the case. Law enforcement and volunteers have conducted extensive searches in the areas she was last seen, which have included canvassing neighborhoods, reviewing available surveillance footage, and distributing informational flyers. Despite these efforts, her whereabouts remain unknown. The case of Irene Frye is an active and ongoing missing person's investigation. Authorities continue to urge the public to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, that could lead to her location. The overview of this case is one of a vulnerable adult who vanished without a trace, leaving her community with unanswered questions and a deep sense of concern for her safety and well-being.Last Seen: Feb 15, 2025
