Frances Apperson, 67, was last seen on May 17, 2022, at the Banner Elk Cafe at 3:44 p.m. She had planned a hike at Hawksbill Mountain but never arrived. Known to family as Dell, Frances was deaf and described as active in her community with a love of nature, gardening and cooking.

Her family reported her missing to the Mecklenburg Police Department on May 21, 2022. On May 30, 2022, authorities pinged her cellphone and located her silver 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe parked, pollen-covered, in a lot near a trailhead for Linville Falls off Old NC 105. That prompted an extensive search of the rugged Linville Gorge area by multiple county and state teams, including drone searches.

Relatives found a small angel figurine along the trail; an identical angel was inside her vehicle, suggesting she may have walked the trail. Despite two weeks of exhaustive searching, no further trace was found and the circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear. If anyone saw Frances or remembers her plans that day, please share what you know.