SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Spokane County deputies said they are looking at several pieces of evidence in the search for a 45-year-old woman who disappeared after leaving for a library in Spokane Valley nearly one week ago.
Mandrea K. Runnels' boyfriend reported that she left for the library on Argonne Road on Friday, Feb. 21 and never returned, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. He said he has called her phone but has not received an answer.
The sheriff's office said Runnels' boyfriend also checked with family and friends who say they have not heard from her. He said this is unusual behavior for her and he is extremely concerned for her welfare.
Runnels' sister and daughter have also reported that they are very concerned for her welfare, according to the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office said Runnels has not shown up for work since her boyfriend reported her missing, and a coworker said it was highly unlikely that she would not call to check in.
Spokane County Sheriff's Corporal Mark Gregory said their first step in the investigation was to determine if she may have left on her own.
"Generally on cases like this, we have to look at that angle and try to figure out which way to go," Gregory said.
Gregory said they're now looking at a couple of leads but aren't ready to publicly release this information. In order for the sheriff's office to investigate, they have to classify the case as a criminal investigation.
"We have to look at it and go where the evidence brings us. At this point, we don't necessarily have anything to look at that may be criminal, but we also can't say positively that it's not," he said.
Authorities described Runnels as a black woman who is approximately 5'2'' tall, weighs 125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. She could be wearing eyeglasses.
Runnels may be traveling in her maroon/burgundy 2004 Dodge Dakota, with Washington license plates C29226N, the sheriff's office said. The truck has a “=” sticker on the tailgate, just above the word Dodge on the driver’s side.
Those who have seen Runnels or her vehicle, or know of her location, are asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 and reference Case No. 10024493.
