An urgent search is on for a 20-year-old Lovell, Wyoming, woman who’s been missing since Saturday night who officials fear may be in danger.
The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s on help locating Liana Welde, who was last seen by her sister at the family home around 9 p.m. Saturday.
The sheriff’s office was notified of Welde’s disappearance Sunday morning, said Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn.
“A search was immediately launched and is continuing now,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn said his office is also working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as well as other local resources and has issued a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert for her.
Though Welde has gone missing for short periods in the past, this is the longest she’s been gone without contacting someone, which Blackburn called “concerning.”
On Foot With No Phone
The sheriff’s office is searching Big Horn County, but there are also indications that she may have tried to travel outside the county on foot, and Blackburn is asking anyone who may have seen her or given her a ride to contact the office.
“She has been known to travel on roadways in the past and has been known to attempt to get rides,” he said.
She does not have a vehicle, a cellphone or a wallet and is thought to be traveling with only the clothing she’s wearing and possibly a small bag.
“There’s always concern,” he said about cases of missing people. “And as time goes on, of course, we’d like to be as quick as we can.”
Welde is described as being around 5 feet tall with brown hair, hazel eyes and a slim build. She frequently wears her hair back with a baseball cap and may be wearing sandals and carrying a floral bag.
Anyone who has seen Welde or has information about her whereabouts is asked to call the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office at 307-568-2324 or call 911.
Jen Kocher can be reached at jen@cowboystatedaily.com.
