Yearlong search for missing woman ends with discovery of bones, Texas officials say
It had been 406 days since Margaret Kay-Alana Turner went missing, but her friends and family were finally given closure.
Search and rescue volunteers went looking for Turner on April 19 in Montgomery County, Texas, and discovered bones, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials used dental records to confirm the remains belonged to Turner, according to an April 24 news release.
“There’s something about the finality of hearing the official statement. Identity of remains confirmed. I guess there was always a sliver of hope that you would be found and you’d be fine. That the bones found the other day weren’t actually yours. Now it’s definite,” Kanessa Rippy said in a Facebook post.
Turner disappeared March 10, 2023, after her family said she ran from deputies during a mental health crisis in Hockley.
“We believe she was struggling with a recent medication change, and had not slept in at least 3 days,” her family said in a March 16, 2023, Facebook post.
Turner stayed with a friend in Silsbee the night before and was seen wandering around the neighborhood knocking on doors the next morning after her friend left for work, her family said.
She contacted a friend in Austin and made plans to drive to his home, her family said. Turner got tired during the late-night drive and tried to find a driveway to sleep in. Her family said she eventually pulled into a driveway in Tomball, about 145 miles from Austin, and fell asleep.
A heavy sleeper, according to her family, a concerned homeowner called law enforcement officers after attempting to wake Turner up at about 6 a.m. after finding her in the driveway.
“According to witnesses, the constable at the scene were never able to make contact with Kay as she was unable to respond properly, almost as if she was in a sleepwalking state or still severely disoriented,” her family said.
She drove off, cutting through pastures and fences, and was followed by Harris County deputies, her family said.
Turner drove off into a wooded area, got out of her car and ran on foot, her family said. Officers lost sight of her after she crossed a creek, according to her family.
Despite search efforts, deputies were unable to locate her that day, according to her family. She was reported missing March 10 in Montgomery County and in Harris County.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to request for information.
Officials continue to investigate her cause of death, though no foul play was detected, Montgomery County deputies said.
“We love Kay! God loves her more! She has been met with kindness,” her family said in an April 24 Facebook post.
Hockley is about a 125-mile drive southeast of Austin.
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