Missing Woman With Autism Found In Creek Dies: Sheriff

BRISTOL, IL — The Kendall County Sheriff's Office said a woman with autism who went missing from Bristol Wednesday before being located early Thursday morning has died. The sheriff's office said 37-year-old Wendy M. Lippard was found at 12:15 a.m. Thursday in Blackberry Creek near Willow Lane, and was taken to Rush Copley Medical Center just hours after the sheriff's office responded to the 0-100 block of Basswood Court in Bristol at 7:15 p.m. for a report she had gone missing. According to the sheriff's office, Wendy was given medical attention on scene, but was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The sheriff's office said the woman was wearing purple pajamas and black shoes when she was reported missing, and police and fire crews searched the area of Galena Road and Highland Drive. During the search, the Sheriff’s Office also deployed their drone to fly above the area along with a Chicago Police Department helicopter.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an active investigation into this incident and said the Kane County Coroner’s Office is assisting.

The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Yorkville Police Department, Montgomery Police Department, Oswego Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Bristol-Kendall Fire Department, and the Kendall County Emergency Management Search and Rescue Team for their assistance.

Image via Kendall County Sheriff's Office