SCSO gives update on missing Destrehan woman with dementia

Published 11:28 am Monday, December 7, 2020

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DESTREHAN — After an exhaustive search throughout the day and overnight, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office continues the active search for Anna Mae Chauvin, the missing 71-year-old Destrehan female.

The S.C.S.O. has requested the assistance of a non-profit canine search team that specializes in looking for missing individuals, Louisiana Search and Rescue (LASAR). More information about the group can be found at LASARDOGS.ORG.

The LASAR will be partnered with S.C.S.O. deputies that will be searching the neighborhoods, woods, and swamp areas in an area between River Road (LA 48) and Airline Highway (US 61) in New Sarpy, Louisiana.

Detectives searched the neighborhood and the wooded area north of the railroad tracks between Vans Lane and Acadia Lane Vans Lane in New Sarpy throughout the night with the assistance of the Rayburn Correctional Center K9 Team; however, no contact was made. During efforts, detectives were going door-to-door to speak with residents, viewing security cameras, and checking fenced yards and sheds in the area. Through the investigation, additional information was found to validate that Mrs. Chauvin was in the area within the last 24 hours.

A morning briefing was held in St. Charles Parish. Officers are continuing to canvass the area.

Sheriff Champagne would like the public to be aware that although this incident was initially reported in Jefferson Parish, the investigation is now being led by St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Chauvin was last seen by a witness at the Shell Station located at the intersection of Carolyn Drive and River Road in Destrehan on December 5, 2020 at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Detectives have also found video footage of Mrs. Chauvin showing her walking in the 600 block of Carolyn Drive at 10:23 p.m. Currently, it is believed that she wandered west, towards New Sarpy, and may possibly be somewhere between Vans Lane and Terrace Street in New Sarpy, Louisiana. This will be the area of focus for search efforts today. Citizens can expect a very large police presence in the area of

New Sarpy as efforts to locate Ms. Chauvin continue.

Ms. Chauvin is a 71-year-old female, who is diagnosed with dementia. She was last known to be wearing a red colored Coca-Cola shirt and grey sweatpants. Ms. Chauvin is described as being 5’4” tall and 120 lbs.

If anyone has information related to the whereabouts of Ms. Chauvin, or believes they may have sighted her in the past 48 hours, they are urged to contact Detective Thomas Plaisance at 985-783-6807 or dial 911.

Updates will be release as progress is made in the investigation. Citizens should understand that the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office is currently leading this investigation. If there is no update on the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page saying that Ms. Chauvin has been located, then assume that she is still missing. Please avoid sharing false information on social media. If the post you are sharing does not come directly from the S.C.S.O. Facebook page, then consider the information likely to be outdated or incorrect.