Victoria Landers, 57, MSG [FOUND DECEASED] Neenah, WI

[Faith]

Police searching for missing Neenah woman
http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20080429&Category=APC0101&ArtNo=80429104&Ref=AR&Profile=1979&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

TOWN OF MENASHA — Police searched Tuesday near Fritse Park for a Neenah woman last seen on Saturday afternoon.

Neenah police said foul play was not suspected as they looked for 57-year-old Victoria Landers.

Police said late Tuesday that air, ground and water searches were unsuccessful.

Officers turned their attention to the park after Town of Menasha police were called to check on a suspicious vehicle early Tuesday.

Landers’ car was found parked and unlocked near the woods with the keys inside and a purse lying on the seat.

Nothing inside the vehicle seemed out of place or suspicious, Neenah police Lt. Jeff Malcore said. Landers had not been reported missing prior to the vehicle’s discovery.

Neenah and other nearby police departments conducted aerial and ground searches of the area Tuesday.

“We have the dogs out there and the State Patrol airplane is up,” Malcore said.

Police went to Landers’ home Tuesday after discovery of the car to check on her welfare. No one was home except a dog. While food had been left out, defecation throughout the home suggested that no arrangements were made for its care, according to police.

Malcore said no search was conducted in the home, though police were supervising the residence.

Landers is described as white with brown hair and brown eyes. She is 5-foot-2 and weighs 108 pounds.

Anyone with information on Landers’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Neenah Police Department at 920-886-6000.
http://postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080429/APC0101/80429104/1979/APC05

[Faith]

Posted April 29, 2008

Police searching for missing Neenah woman

Gannett Wisconsin Media

TOWN OF MENASHA — Police today are conducting a search near Fritse Park for a Neenah woman last seen on Saturday afternoon.

Neenah police said foul play is not yet suspected as they continue to look for 57-year-old Victoria Landers.

Officers turned their attention to the park after Town of Menasha police were called to check on a suspicious vehicle early today. Landers’ car was found parked and unlocked near the woods with the keys inside and a purse lying on the seat.

Nothing inside the vehicle seemed out of place or suspicious, Neenah Lt. Jeff Malcore said. Landers had not been reported missing prior to the vehicle’s discovery.

Neenah and other nearby police departments are conducting aerial and ground searches of the area today.

“We have the dogs out there and the State Patrol airplane is up,” Malcore said.

Police went to Landers’ home today after discovery of the car to check on her welfare. No one was home except a dog. While food had been left out, defecation throughout the home suggested that no arrangements were made for its care, according to police.

Malcore said no search was conducted on the home, though police are supervising the residence.

Landers is described as white with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 108 pounds. No clothing description was available.

Anyone with information on Landers’ whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the Neenah Police Department at 920-886-6000.

Filed by the Appleton Post-Crescent

http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080429/OSH/304290070/1987

[Faith]

Police Search For Missing Neenah Woman


Last Update: 10:33 am

NEENAH (WFRV) - Officials continue their search for 57-year-old Victoria Landers - last seen Saturday afternoon.

Lt. Malcore with Neenah Police Department said that searchers are taking the boat out at Fritse Park in the Town of Menasha to seach the waters for Landers. They are also checking her credit card activity to see if that yields any clues.

Her car was discovered near the park early Tuesday morning after apparently being parked there since Saturday. Officers found the vehicle unlocked with the keys and a purse inside.

Neenah Police then checked out Landers residence where they found only a dog. Food was left out, but it appeared no arrangements were made to care for the dog.

There was nothing out of place in either the car or the home and foul play is not suspected.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Victoria Landers, please call the Neenah Police Department immediately at 920-886-6000.
http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=b1d769fe-3b39-40db-9a67-e44ff6fe0639

[Faith]

Dive Teams Called to Search for Missing Woman

Updated: April 30, 2008 12:29 PM

Around 11:30 Wednesday morning, police called dive teams to search for a missing Neenah woman. They're searching a lake at Fritse Park in the Town of Menasha, where 57-year-old Victoria Landers's car was found with her keys and purse inside.

Police are also trying to put together a timeline of what Landers was doing before she disappeared. They're tracking her credit cards to see if she made any purchases, and following up on numerous tip calls.

Anyone who may have seen Landers Saturday afternoon or later is asked to contact Neenah police.

Family members say it's unusual for Landers to go somewhere without checking in. Her nephew and neighbor both told Action 2 News it's unusual for her to leave without her dog, which was found inside her home, apparently with no one letting it outside for days.

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=8249957

[Faith]

Dive Teams Come Up Empty in Search for Missing Woman

Updated: April 30, 2008 05:53 PM

Around 11:30 Wednesday morning, police called dive teams to search for a missing Neenah woman. They searched Little Lake Butte des Morts at Fritse Park, which is a few miles from Victoria Landers's home.

Officers found the 57-year-old woman's unlocked car at the park with her keys and purse inside after getting a call about a suspicious vehicle parked there since Saturday night.

After an extensive ground and aerial search Tuesday, the focus turned to the water.

After waiting for strong currents to abate, divers finally went into the water before noon, while other searchers used boats and trained dogs.

The divers spent about two hours in the water but found nothing.

Late in the afternoon, search teams lowered a camera into the water to explore the lake bed around the bridge.

"Because of the currents it was very difficult to keep divers in and keep a decent search pattern, so trying to eliminate stuff we have the camera out here to try and locate anything on the bottom," Detective Tom Makurat, Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, explained.

It drew people to watch, even those who didn't know the woman.

"I really feel for the family," Shelly Eckstein of Neenah said. "My friend had seen the crime tape and car across the street yesterday. We just thought we would come out and see what was happening today. I didn't know they were diving for her body or evidence."

It's unknown at this time whether divers will return Thursday. Several factors play into that: The current, and what investigators off the water find as they piece together a timeline of what Landers was doing since she was last seen Saturday afternoon.

Officers are tracking her credit cards to see if she made any purchases, and following up on numerous tip calls.

Family members say it's unusual for Landers to go somewhere without checking in. Her nephew and neighbor both told Action 2 News it's unusual for her to leave without her dog, which was found inside her home, apparently with no one letting it outside for days.

Her family posted notices Tuesday night, and their hope a day later was just as strong that anyone with information will come forward.

"We just want any help that anyone can give us, any tips or anything," nephew Jim Bourdeau said.
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=8249957&nav=menu24_3_1_12

[packy]

I can't understand why they say early on that no foul play is suspected. Just say nothing until they're sure would seem best IMO. Hope they do find her soon.

[Faith]

I can't understand why they say early on that no foul play is suspected. Just say nothing until they're sure would seem best IMO. Hope they do find her soon.

I will never understand that comment, Packy, we see that a lot in missing persons cases.

[packy]

I will never understand that comment, Packy, we see that a lot in missing persons cases.

It seems to give an impression that the person made a choice to be gone, and could possibly cause people to lose an incentive to help look, or think about anything they might have seen that could help. Although it could also point to they think a person might have had an accident too I suppose.

It just bothers me that it's as if they have made a conclusion too soon.

[TeeOne]

I can't understand why they say early on that no foul play is suspected. Just say nothing until they're sure would seem best IMO. Hope they do find her soon.

Honestly, I've just started reading all the missing person's files, I'm heartsick over them...so many.
But that is a really good question as to why they state 'no foul play' is suppected. How could they possibly know that prior to finding her?!?!

I do hope for her safe return!

[Faith]

Businesses Contribute to Search for Missing Neenah Woman

Updated: May 1, 2008 04:34 PM

Searchers had a helicopter out Thursday looking for 57-year-old Victoria Landers of Neenah, in addition to divers going back to search Little Lake Butte des Morts.

Landers was last seen Saturday afternoon. Officers found her car at Fritse Park in the Town of Menasha on Tuesday after someone reported the car had been there since Saturday night. The car was unlocked and her keys and purse were inside. Officers went to her home and found her dog was left unattended.

A number of businesses have been donating their services to help officers find Landers -- everything from private K9 teams specializing in water searches to boats to a chopper.

For the Little Lake Cleanup Team dredging PCBs just north of Fritse Park in Little Lake Butte des Morts, contributing it was a no-brainer. They were more than happy to give police one of their boats.

"Just seemed to be the right thing to do," Bill Hartman said, "and again, we had people available and equipment available at that time and they needed the help."

Neenah police used the pontoon boat to get divers into the water away from shore. Right alongside them were private K9 teams with dogs trained to pick up scent in the water.

But folks on the ground weren't the only ones more than happy to help. People in the sky have been trying to help find the missing woman, too.

"With the shoreline and some of the territory they had to work with, we thought we had some of the best tools they could use in the search, so we wanted to volunteer our services," Daryl Price of Vertical Services Integration said.

Wednesday Price did a search on his own. Thursday he brought an officer with him.

"I think it's probably the best perspective you're going to get," Price said. "Not only do you have a top-down view on it but you can really see the different variety and textures of the land, the water, and swamp, so I think we have an excellent tool for this kind of work."

Everyone we talked with said they're available if police need them again.

"If we can help them again, we definitely will," Hartman said.
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=8256367&nav=menu24_1

[Grande]

Victoria Landers's Family Waiting, Watching, Worrying
Updated: May 1, 2008 11:30 PM CDT
By Jason Zimmerman

The family of a missing Neenah woman spoke out Thursday night as the search continued for 57-year-old Victoria Landers.

Landers was last seen Saturday afternon. On Tuesday, someone called Town of Menasha police to report a suspicious vehicle parked at Fitske Park since Saturday night. Officers found the car unlocked with a purse and keys were inside. When officers went to the owner's Neenah home, they found her dog with dog food but otherwise left unattended and apparently not outside in days.

After a massive search by police of the park and Little Lake Butte des Morts along which the park sits, the family of Victoria Landers is now reaching out to the public, hoping someone has information.

"My mom, we're very, very close, all of us. She's like our best friend in the whole world," daughter Sherry Pamperin says, "and now she's just disappeared, she's gone."

It's an emotional time for Sherry. She says it's not like her mother to just disappear without saying a word to anyone.

Her brother Joshua and sister Rebecca are in the same state of disbelief.

"You worry about her. Is she out in the cold? Anything. It's just very traumatic. You try to hold it together because all day you're having meltdowns," Rebecca Koenig said.

That's why the family is urging those who might have information to contact police.

"This is really abnormal for my mom to be at a park on a Saturday, on a cold afternoon, when she weighs about 98 pounds and she hates the cold weather. She left the dog at home. She doesn't go anywhere without the dog," Sherry said.

For now all three kids are doing their best to keep their hope strong.

"I don't want people to forget my mom. I want them to realize that she was a person and we loved her very much," Sherry said.

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=8259771

[Nut44x4]

Underwater Robotic Camera Searches for Missing Woman

Updated: May 2, 2008 04:38 PM EDT

Investigators in the Fox Valley are now using a unique tool in the search for a missing Neenah woman.

Fifty-seven-year-old Victoria Landers's car was found abandoned at Fritse Park in the Town of Menasha. She hasn't been seen since Saturday afternoon.

Friday searchers used an underwater robot camera in Little Lake Butte des Morts, which extends through the park.

The camera was supplied by the state Department of Natural Resources.

So far no clues have been found.

http://www.wbay.com/global/story.asp?s=8263183

[Nut44x4]

Neenah Police Continue Search For Missing Woman

Last Update: 12:10 pm

MENASHA (AP) - It's been a week since anyone last saw 57-year-old Victoria Landers of Neenah, and authorities say her disappearance remains a mystery.

Police don't suspect foul play. They found her car Tuesday at a park on Little Lake Butte des Morts in the town of Menasha. Someone reported it was there since the previous Saturday.

Authorities on Friday combed the waters of the nearby Fox River but didn't find her body.

Police say Landers' car was parked and unlocked, with the keys inside and a purse lying on the seat. Her dog was left unattended at her home.

Investigators say they're interviewing family members and searching the woman's financial and computer records as part of the investigation.

http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=076ba779-8405-4f9c-9f48-89cd813356e6&rss=847

[Faith]

TOWN OF MENASHA — The search for a 57-year-old Neenah woman last seen a week ago continues to frustrate authorities.

May 3, 2008

Police on Friday combed the waters of the Fox River north of Fritse Park for the body of Victoria Landers.

Police found her car parked and unlocked in Fritse Park on Tuesday with the keys inside and a purse lying on the seat.

Nothing seemed out of place or suspicious, according to Neenah police Lt. Jeff Malcore.

Neenah police, who are handling the investigation, said foul play is not suspected in Landers' disappearance.

On Friday, police used a boat from Foth Infrastructure & Environment of Green Bay, a firm involved in the cleanup of PCBs from the river, to search for Landers.

The river is swollen with snowmelt and runoff from recent thunderstorms and is filled with debris.

Landers is described as white with brown hair and brown eyes. She is 5-foot-2 and weighs 108 pounds.

Anyone with information on Landers' whereabouts is asked to contact the Neenah Police Department at 920-886-6000.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080503/APC0101/805030483/1979

[Faith]

"My mom, we're very, very close, all of us. She's like our best friend in the whole world," daughter Sherry Pamperin says, "and now she's just disappeared, she's gone."

It's an emotional time for Sherry. She says it's not like her mother to just disappear without saying a word to anyone.

Her brother Joshua and sister Rebecca are in the same state of disbelief.

"You worry about her. Is she out in the cold? Anything. It's just very traumatic. You try to hold it together because all day you're having meltdowns," Rebecca Koenig said.

and

"This is really abnormal for my mom to be at a park on a Saturday, on a cold afternoon, when she weighs about 98 pounds and she hates the cold weather. She left the dog at home. She doesn't go anywhere without the dog," Sherry said.

For now all three kids are doing their best to keep their hope strong.

"I don't want people to forget my mom. I want them to realize that she was a person and we loved her very much," Sherry said.


http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-crime&tid=19351

[Faith]

pamp01

This is Victoria Lander's daughter, Sherry. I did not realized I talked in the past tense as I was and still am quite distraught. But my mom would contact her children and grandchildren if she could. We are a very close family. Our mother was and still is are best friend and we hope and pray she comes home. Also her dog Kokoa was like a baby to her and I cannot imagine her leaving her dog alone for more than a couple hours.

My family and I would like to thank you for posting your messages as we do not want people to forget that there is a mom out there missing who is loved and missed very much.

Thank you

Victoria Landers Family

Becki, Josh, Sherry



http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-crime&tid=19351

[dodgegirl1980]

My thoughts and prayers are with Sherry, Josh, and Becki as well as Vicky's grandchildren. Vicki and I were close friends while we worked together in Fond du Lac. I agree with everyone who knew Vicky that she would Not leave the house on a cold day because she never liked the cold and that she never would leave her dog alone for that length of time. I remember a few times while we would be working if she was gone for a long time she would make sure to swing by her home during breaks to take her dog out, or she would make a point to call one of her children to do this task for her. The one thing I question is why the Menasha police are not asking for more volunteers to help in the search. If they would need help I would have been more than glad to come up to help with the search efforts.

[Mysticalmom]

My thoughts and prayers are with Sherry, Josh, and Becki as well as Vicky's grandchildren. Vicki and I were close friends while we worked together in Fond du Lac. I agree with everyone who knew Vicky that she would Not leave the house on a cold day because she never liked the cold and that she never would leave her dog alone for that length of time. I remember a few times while we would be working if she was gone for a long time she would make sure to swing by her home during breaks to take her dog out, or she would make a point to call one of her children to do this task for her. The one thing I question is why the Menasha police are not asking for more volunteers to help in the search. If they would need help I would have been more than glad to come up to help with the search efforts.

My prayers are with Victoria and her family :1222423: Has there been any updates? I had not heard anything about this on the news...I live in the Madison area...but was wondering if they have done any ground searches yet or only water searches? Do you know if they are asking for any volunteers yet?

[Faith]

Posted: May 06 08

Thank you. All I can say is that there is a big hole in my life and I'm having a hard time filling it. I talked to my mom all the time and now I can't. All I can tell people is hold their dear ones close and don't sweat the small stuff. You never know when someone is not going to be there. I hope and pray that my mom shows up but as of now there is no news.

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=11&nav=messages&webtag=ab-crime&tid=19351

[Grande]

Neenah police continue search for missing woman
The Post-Crescent • May 8, 2008

NEENAH — Police said Wednesday the investigation of a toddler's homicide hasn't hampered their search efforts for a woman who has been missing for nearly two weeks.

Neenah police are juggling two difficult investigations with the Monday homicide of 2-year-old Caleb Thiel and the search for 57-year-old Victoria Landers, who was last seen April 26.

Lt. Jeff Malcore said the department's investigators have been stretched thin, but they've been able to cover both cases.

New information is scarce in the search for Landers, he said.

"We have absolutely no new leads," Malcore said. "We haven't found anything through use of finances. People haven't spotted her anywhere."

Police began searching for Landers April 29 after Town of Menasha police found her car parked and unlocked in Fritse Park. Her keys were inside and a purse was lying on the seat.

After finding the car, police went to her home to check on her welfare and found no one there but her dog. The dog had food, but had defecated in the home, suggesting no arrangements were made for its care.

Police combed the Fox River north of the park on Friday and brought specially trained dogs into the area during the weekend. Dogs were used on other occasions last week. Police also used an airplane and a helicopter in the search.

Neenah police ask anyone with information about Landers to call investigators at 920-886-6000.

Police still have no reason to suspect foul play, but each passing day means they are less confident that she's safe.

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/APC0101/805080514/1003/APC01

[Roamer]

Victoria doesn't sound like the kind of person who would willingly leave her family to me.

I hope she will be found safely and soon.

[Faith]

I pray she is safe!! :1222423:

[packy]

I wonder if someone called her to meet at the park. Maybe someone sayin they needed advice or help or something to talk her into coming out there.

[dixie]

I pray that Vicky is found safe and pray for her children. Just pray that God will bring her home safe. I am one of Vicky's ex sister in laws and haven't seen her in 30 years. May God bless her and her family. And Joshua we think of you all the time. We haven't seen you since you were a baby. All our love goes out to you and your sisters.:1222423:

[Faith]

I pray that Vicky is found safe and pray for her children. Just pray that God will bring her home safe. I am one of Vicky's ex sister in laws and haven't seen her in 30 years. May God bless her and her family. And Joshua we think of you all the time. We haven't seen you since you were a baby. All our love goes out to you and your sisters.:1222423:

Welcome DIXIE.

[Faith]

This is Victoria Landers daughter, Sherry. I would first like to say thank you for all the support. I understand some people have questioned why I spoke in the past tense when on the news. I want to tell you I didn't realize it until recently. I was and am completely distraught. My sister, Becki and my brother, Josh would like to tell you that my mom was the most caring, considerate person on this earth. She has us plus she has 3 grandchildren whom spent lots of time with her. We are a very close family and are mom is are best friend, we are lost without her. I have never in my life had to deal with this type of pain. I will tell you my mom is extremely afraid of water because she almost drown as a child. Her car wasn't even parked anywhere near the water. I still ASK anyone who seen her silver alero at that parking lot on Saturday to call the police with a time.

Thank you for all you help.

Vicki Landers Family

[packy]

Welcome, Dixie. Hope something comes up to help find her soon.

My prayers go out to Sherry and the family.

[dixie]

Thank you for welcoming me to the forum..I wish we had no need for this kind of forum but sadly we have to. I was thinking about Vicky and thought to myself if only her dog could talk. I surely hope the authorities are doing all they possibly can to find her. Does anyone know whether she had a boyfriend or was involved in a chatroom on a computer? I am just asking. There is so much going on these days with meeting people on the internet that I was just wondering. I met a couple of friends on the internet but I know I would never do it again.It's too risky. My heart goes out to her children. May God find their mom soon. We love you all.

[Nut44x4]

Woman's Body Pulled From Lake

Last Update: 5:45 pm

WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WFRV) - Officials have pulled a woman's body from the waters of Little Lake Butte des Morts.

A passerby noticed something unusual floating in the lake near the 9th Street boat landing in the City of Menasha Thursday morning and notified authorities.

The Neenah Police are exploring a possible connection with Victoria Landers, the Neenah woman missing for over two weeks.

Landers car was found near Fritse Park with the keys and her purse inside. Officials have been searching this area for her, including the lake, ever since.

Landers' daughter says her mother didn't know how to swim.

Police say they have no reason to suspect foul play. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.


We will have more on this developing story on Channel 5 News at Five.

http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=0197e51e-fb78-4de0-83bf-44307f51ee12

[Faith]

Thanks Nut. This is so sad. Prayers for the family as they have to wait for the results. That has to be so hard.

[Nut44x4]

You are welcome...wasn't sure I should post it with family here. But I figured if it was in the paper, then they must know.

[Roamer]

I'm sure they've been notified of the possibility. The waiting must be unbearable for them.

[TigressPen]

You get this sinking feeling that the body is Vicky. God Bless her family. I hope they find out what happened to her. If she didn't know how to swim then why would she go in the water voluntarily.

[Faith]

Body in lake presumed to be missing Neenah woman
Police do not suspect foul play; autopsy set today

May 16, 2008

TOWN OF MENASHA — Police pulled the body of a woman from Little Lake Butte des Morts on Thursday, and they believe it is the Neenah woman who has been missing for nearly three weeks.

Victoria Landers, 58, has been missing since April 26. Police launched air, land and water searches beginning April 29, when her car was found in Fritse Park in the Town of Menasha.

Martha Andrew saw the body floating about 200 yards off the east shore of the lake near her home on Pages Point.

"I kept seeing something, and even with binoculars you could see it wasn't a log," she said. "I know it's not a log. I know it's not an animal. We've lived here long enough."

The body had floated about a half-mile before Town of Menasha police launched their boat and got to the scene, Andrew said.

Police recovered the body at about noon.

An autopsy was to be conducted today to confirm the identity and cause of death, but police say it's likely it is Landers.

Landers' family has been notified.

Police do not think there is foul play involved in the death. Her bank accounts and credit cards had not been used since she disappeared.

Landers did not know how to swim, said Neenah police officer Pam Martin

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080516/APC0101/805160562/1979/APClife

[Nut44x4]

A body pulled from the waters of Little Lake Butte des Morts in Menasha on Thursday has been identified as a missing Neenah woman.

A passerby noticed something unusual floating in the lake near the 9th Street boat landing in the City of Menasha Thursday morning and notified authorities. An autopsy was performed Friday morning, and the body was positively identified as Victoria Landers, who had been missing for over two weeks.

Landers' car was found near Fritse Park with the keys and her purse inside when she was reported missing. Officials had searched the park, as well as portions of the lake she was reported missing on April 26.

The Medical Examiner's office says the preliminary cause of death has been ruled a drowning. Landers' daughter says her mother didn't know how to swim.

Police say they have no reason to suspect foul play, and the autopsy confirms no other signs of internal or external trauma.

http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=7930fadc-94a8-47e8-aef2-80e19dfbf443

[Roamer]

Thank you, Nut.

My condolences to her family. :1222423:

[Faith]

:1222423::1222423::1222423:

[Pauli]

:1222423::1222423::1222423: