In the winter of 2014, a sense of concern settled over a neighborhood in Alexandria, Louisiana, when 78-year-old Annie Mae Watts, also known as Annie Cole, went missing. On December 10th, the elderly African American woman was last seen walking with the assistance of a cane in the 2400 block of Ruston Street. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing dark pants, a gray jacket, and a blue cap.
It is believed that she may have been making her way toward the Marriott Hotel located near the local mall. Standing at five feet one inch and weighing around 100 pounds, with brown eyes and graying hair, her absence was a cause for immediate alarm among those who knew her.
The official report of her disappearance was filed with the Alexandria Police Department nearly two months later, on February 2, 2015. The reasons for the delay in reporting are not publicly detailed, but once the investigation was initiated, law enforcement began the difficult task of piecing together the events of that December day. The circumstances surrounding her last known movements were sparse, leaving a significant challenge for investigators. The detail about her potentially walking to a hotel near the mall was a key piece of information, though it was uncertain if she ever reached her possible destination.
As time stretched on, the case of Annie Mae Watts grew colder, yet the hope for answers has not entirely faded. Her case is documented in national databases for missing persons, ensuring her story is not forgotten. The Alexandria Police Department holds the primary case file, and their investigation remains open. The lack of significant leads or new information has left her family and community in a painful state of limbo, without closure regarding the fate of the elderly woman who seemingly vanished on a short walk. The overview of her case is one of a vulnerable member of the community disappearing without a trace, a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of unresolved loss.Last Seen: Dec 10, 2014
