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Missing Tourist's Relatives Call For Public's Help In Search

Tribune photo by JIM REED

The husband and niece of 75-year-old Enid Grace Hendricks makes a plea to the public for helping to find her.

By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune
and NATALIE SHEPHERD | News Channel 8

Published: March 11, 2009

Updated: 03/12/2009 07:03 pm

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Enid Grace Hendricks

A 75-year-old Englishwoman who wandered away from a relative's home in Ruskin might have walked about three miles into a shopping area, the Hillsborough sheriff's office said this morning.

The husband and niece of Enid Grace Hendricks, who goes by her middle name, appealed to the public today to report any sightings of Hendricks, who was reported missing about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"This has never happened before," said Robert Hendricks, who arrived with his wife Tuesday night from England. "And the first time in Florida. … Oh, my God. Please Grace, come home."

Johannie Stanley said her aunt is not someone who will "walk up and ask for help."

"I think she's just walking and confused," Stanley said. "She doesn't know where to go. We believe she's safe. She's just wandering around."

Sheriff's Maj. John Marsicano said deputies will extend their search north of the Ruskin area after receiving valid sightings of her in a tomato field and also around Sun Point Plaza about 11 a.m. Wednesday and later that afternoon.

Deputies worked through the night going door-to-door to find Hendricks, who is not familiar with the area and may have the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

"The sheriff has pulled out all the resources on this one," Marsicano said at a news conference.

Hendricks is black, about 5-foot-5 and 130 pounds. She is thought to be wearing a light-colored wig, a nightgown and a housecoat; she may be wearing slippers. She had some U.S. money with her.

Hendricks is originally from Jamaica and has a thick accent.

She was reported missing from the 2500 block of Yukon Cliff Drive. Robert Hendricks told investigators he heard a door open about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and discovered his wife was gone when he got up about 9 a.m.

Anyone with information about Hendricks should call 911 or (813) 247-8200.

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