In the small town of Pineville, South Carolina, a family continues to hold out hope for the safe return of Ruth Jenkins, a beloved mother of five who vanished on July 16, 2022. At the time of her disappearance, she was 76 years old and living with dementia. The days leading up to her disappearance were marked by moments of concern for her well-being.
The evening before she went missing, her dog had run off, causing her considerable distress and prompting her to drive to the neighboring town of Monck's Corner in search of her pet. Earlier that same day, a family member had to assist her after she lost her car keys at a Walmart and was unable to get into her vehicle. These instances highlighted the challenges she was facing with her memory.
The morning of her disappearance, Ruth embarked on her customary walk, her mind still preoccupied with her lost keys. She was seen by neighbors as she retraced her steps, asking for help in her search. Home surveillance footage captured her around 11 a.m., and in a state of disorientation, she even entered a neighbor's home before wandering off. She was last seen walking in the 1800 block of Highway 45 in the Pineville area. At the time, she was wearing jeans and a white T-shirt. Another report described her as wearing a gray shirt, jeans, and black glasses. Ruth is described as being between five feet four inches and five feet six inches tall, weighing around 125 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes; she also wears glasses.
In the years that have followed, Ruth's family has been relentless in their efforts to find her, organizing walks, vigils, and remembrance events to keep her memory in the public eye. Her son, Robert Jenkins Jr., and his wife had been visiting from Texas the week she went missing and had grown increasingly concerned about her health. Their last day together was filled with cherished moments, holding hands as they ran errands, a memory Robert now clings to. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office is investigating her disappearance, and the case remains open. The family believes that someone must have information about what happened to Ruth, as it is unlikely she would have simply vanished without a trace. They continue to appeal to the community for any information that could lead to answers and bring them closure. This case is an overview of the ongoing search for a cherished mother and community member, highlighting the pain and uncertainty that a family endures when a loved one with dementia goes missing.Last Seen: Jul 16, 2022
