In the quiet town of New Bern, North Carolina, the summer of 2026 was marked by the troubling disappearance of 50-year-old Dana Darlene Ammons. On June 22nd, Dana was last seen on surveillance footage at approximately 10:37 a.m. near Caballus Trailers LLC on U.S. 70, walking in the direction of New Bern. Earlier that morning, her vehicle was found abandoned in the parking lot of the Riverside Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership. Alarmingly, she had left behind all her personal belongings, including her cell phone, identification, and wallet. This sparked immediate concern among authorities and her family. The Havelock Police Department, leading the investigation, classified her as a missing and endangered adult, particularly as she was on foot during a period of hazardous weather.
The search for Dana was complicated by the fact that her care team did not realize she was missing for eight to ten days before filing a report. This delay created a significant gap in the timeline of her last known movements. Dana's daughter, Katelyn Lane, revealed that her mother lives with schizophrenia and depression and had reportedly stopped taking her medication prior to her disappearance, which may have led to a decline in her cognitive function and an increase in paranoia. A salesperson at the car dealership where she left her vehicle noted that she seemed confused, disoriented, and agitated. Dana is described as a white female, 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing between 170 and 190 pounds, with graying hair and brown eyes. She has several distinct tattoos, including a butterfly on her right shoulder and angel wings on her back, as well as a scar on her right arm. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black athletic pants, and white shoes.
As weeks turned into months, the investigation into Dana's whereabouts continued, with the Havelock Police Department, the Craven County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation all involved. Her family has been active in trying to keep her story in the public eye, hoping that someone, somewhere has information that could lead to her whereabouts. The case is a poignant reminder of the silent struggles many face with mental health and the profound impact a person's disappearance has on their loved ones. The overview of this case reveals a deeply concerning situation where a vulnerable individual vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a family desperate for answers.
Last Seen: Jun 22, 2026
