KAINALIU — Search officials, along with family and friends of Deborah “Debby” Wiley, are urging residents and property owners to assist in the effort to find the missing 67-year-old woman by regularly searching their property and keeping a lookout for her.
“We want to get the message to every property in the search radius,” said Wiley’s son, Justin Wiley. “And the message is ‘Debby’s still missing.’”
Debby Wiley, who has Alzheimer’s disease,was last seen about 6 a.m. Wednesday walking up Captain Cook Road A. Before that, she was seen Sunday by her husband in the yard of their home near Hind Road in Captain Cook. Justin Wiley said his mother is very friendly, but could be paranoid with her memory impaired. He said the woman could be hiding under someone’s house or on their property.
Saturday morning, about 50 people gathered at Lanakila Congregational Church to discuss strategies for the search, pray for Debby Wiley’s return and set out for day six of search and outreach efforts.
Jasmine (Hooper) Staup, command leader, told the crowd that the last people who saw Debby Wiley didn’t know she was lost and that one person who went out canvassing reported people didn’t know she was missing.
“We did a really, really good job getting the word out,” Staup said. “But there’s still pockets of people.”
Justin Wiley told the crowd the plan was to go throughout the search area from property to property, asking residents to search their homes and properties.
“We have the roads covered,” he said, “but private property we don’t have covered, and she’s been found on private property before.”
Justin Wiley said the search radius runs between St. John’s Road in Kealakekua and Koa Road in Captain Cook, and anybody driving through that area should be extra vigilant.
He also reiterated the crucial need for property owners in that area to check in the morning and evening around their homes as well as in and under any structures, and also spread the word to neighbors in the area.
The outreach also includes asking residents to listen for any sounds that indicate a person might be on their property. That includes sustained dog barking, Justin Wiley said. Barking that goes on for minutes, he said, is a “great sign” that someone is on the land.
If someone sees Debby Wiley, officials say it’s crucial to stay with her and keep eyes on her.
Dave Mahon, fire equipment operator with the Hawaii Fire Department, said if someone sees Debby Wiley and thinks it’s her, they should stop and make contact with her and, if it is her, call 911 and stay with her until responders arrive.
Those who receive reports of sightings or other information are asked to pass that on by calling the church.
Justin Wiley said volunteers will continue to be needed in the coming days to continue search and outreach efforts. He said people are meeting daily at 8 a.m. at the church until his mother is found. Call the church for more information.
Justin Wiley said the family remains hopeful, citing his mother’s resilience.
“There’s great hope,” he said, “but it’s no time to slow down.”
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.
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If you see Debby Wiley
• Stop and approach her calmly and quietly.
• Make contact with her.
• Call 911 or Lanakila Congregational Church at 322-3346.
• Organizers suggest saying “Let’s wait for Jim” or asking “Debby, have you seen Jim?”
• Maintain contact with her until responders arrive, and do not lose sight of her.
If you have seen Debby Wiley
• Call Lanakila Congregational Church at 322-3346. Calls to that number are forwarded to a cellphone. That line does not receive text messages.
• Provide the following information: name, contact number, location of sighting, time and date of sighting, what Debby Wiley was seen wearing and the direction from which she was coming and in which she was headed.
Debby Wiley’s characteristics
• 5 feet 5 inches tall
• 140 pounds
• Last seen wearing a dark blue-colored long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and grayish-white tennis shoes
• Has Alzheimer’s disease
• Avoids main roads
• Seeks quiet places and hides at times, including going under houses
• Likes music
• Takes naps
More information
• The family is using the hashtag #bringdebbyhome on Facebook and Instagram to provide updates and coordinate efforts. There also is a Facebook page named “Deborah Debby Wiley” and email address bringdebbyhome@gmail.com.
