Nebraska State Patrol begins large-scale search for longtime missing woman

Linda Dillard was last seen near Table Rock last year, NSP says. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska State Patrol has begun a large-scale search for Linda Dillard, who has been missing since June 16, 2021.

Dillard was last seen near Table Rock last year, NSP says.

NSP will be searching the Table Rock State Wildlife Management Area, which has been identified as part of the investigation.  Investigators believe Dillard may have been the victim of a crime, which led to her disappearance.

Dillard’s residence was not far from Table Rock Wildlife Management Area and was the reason why NSP chose to do a large search in that area.

Authorities also believe that Dillard, who had hip problems and hip dysplasia, could have fallen somewhere in the area.  Table Rock State Wildlife Management Area has multiple creeks and heavily wooded areas where she may have fallen into and may not have been able to get back up.

Crews didn’t start this large of a search until now because of vegetation being extremely thick in the area, NSP says.  They wanted to start the search before vegetation would grow back and make it difficult to search for Dillard.

Multiple agencies will take part in the search that began on Thursday.  The operation will go through Saturday if necessary, according to NSP.

NSP has employed teams searching on foot, horseback crews, drones and K9 units.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln anthropology students will also be helping look for items such as bones and clothing items.

Crews plan to cover around 600 acres of land in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to report it to Nebraska Crime Stoppers.