Woman, 81, Was Last Seen Driving Home in May. Her Human Remains Were Likely Just Found, Son Says
McConnell's car was found abandoned in Cowley County, Kan., on May 20
Authorities announced that human remains during the search for McConnell were found on June 11, about 1 mile from where her vehicle was previously locatedOfficials said human remains were found during the search for a Kansas woman who went missing last month.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a May 17 news release that a Silver Alert was issued for Jerry McConnell, 81, of Overland Park, Kan.
According to the bureau, McConnell was last seen in Harrisonville, Mo., on May 14, and driving a grey 2009 Honda Accord to her Overland Park home. Authorities also noted that she may have been near Severy, Kan., on May 15.
Then on May 20, according to a news release from the Cowley County Sheriff's Office shared with PEOPLE, deputies were notified that a vehicle associated with the Silver Alert for McConnell was found abandoned on private property in a rural area near the 4000 block of 327th Road in Cowley County, Kan.
Daily searches for McConnell were conducted since the discovery of the vehicle, but to no avail, authorities added.
Then, on Wednesday, June 11, while searching the area of 333rd Road, authorities came across human remains about 1 mile from the location where McConnell's vehicle was earlier located, said the Cowley County Sheriff's Office.
McConnell's personal belongings were also discovered.
'An autopsy is pending to confirm the identity of the remains,' the Cowley County Sheriff's Office said in its statement.
'We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed time, resources, and support in the effort to locate Jerry over the past three weeks. Our thoughts and prayers remain with her family during this difficult time,' the department added.
Rick McConnell, identified by Fox affiliate WDAF, The Kansas City Star and the Johnson County Post as the victim's son, wrote in a Facebook message that authorities informed him that a body presumed to be that of his mother was found.
'Conditions indicate Jerry likely passed not long after she abandoned her vehicle in the remote location,' Rick wrote.
'The Family wishes to express our gratitude and appreciation for the tireless efforts of both the Cowley County Sheriff's Department and the Overland Park Police Department,' Rick further added. 'Unless you have personally experienced such an unfathomable situation, you cannot comprehend the enormous efforts such an operation entails.'
PEOPLE contacted Rick McConnell for comment on Friday, June 13.
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