On May 17, 2022, 67-year-old Frances Apperson, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, was anticipated by her family for a hike at Hawksbill Mountain, a journey of about two hours from her home. However, she never arrived for the planned outing. Known to her loved ones as 'Dell,' Frances was last seen that same day at the Banner Elk Cafe at 3:44 p.m.
Concerns grew when she remained out of contact, and on May 21, 2022, her family reported her missing to the Mecklenburg Police Department. Frances, who was deaf, was an active and cherished member of her community, known for her volunteer work and her love for nature, gardening, and cooking.
The search for Frances began, and a significant development occurred on May 30, 2022, when authorities, after pinging her cell phone, located her silver 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle was found parked and covered in pollen in a lot near a trailhead for Linville Falls, off Old NC 105. This discovery prompted an intensive search of the rugged and densely forested Linville Gorge area, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of North Carolina.” Search and rescue teams from multiple agencies, including Burke and Avery counties and the North Carolina Forest Service, scoured the trails and utilized drones to survey more secluded areas. A poignant clue emerged when relatives searching for Frances found a small angel figurine along the trail; an identical angel was discovered inside her vehicle, suggesting she may have walked the trail.
Despite extensive and exhaustive two-week search efforts by numerous agencies and volunteers in the challenging terrain of Linville Gorge, no further trace of Frances Apperson was found. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear. While her case is still considered active by some databases, a funeral service was held for her in April 2023, and she has been legally declared deceased, with her date of death listed as May 17, 2022, the last day she was seen. The overview of this case reveals a compassionate woman who seemingly vanished after planning a day of hiking in a familiar yet vast wilderness, leaving behind only her vehicle and a pair of small, symbolic items that offered a glimmer of her path but no answers to her ultimate fate.Last Seen: May 17, 2022
