According to the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, Linda Airington and her husband, who also has dementia, were last seen together on Friday, Nov. 7, at Murphy's gas station in Smithfield. Around 4:30 that afternoon, the family got a call from Wake County authorities that they had found the husband walking on I-40 and Jones Sausage Road, disoriented.
He told authorities they ran out of gas and their truck was found abandoned, but Linda has not been seen since, and the husband could not remember the events that afternoon.
On Friday, Nov. 14, deputies from both sheriff's offices in Wake and Johnston counties were searching the area near the I-87 and I-40 interchange when they found a woman's body, who was later identified as Linda Airington.
"On behalf of the Wake County Sheriff's Office, we extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Airington's loved ones. We ask the community to join us and the Johnston County Sheriff's Office in offering prayers and support as they find comfort during this difficult time," Sheriff Willie Rowe said.
Her cause of death is being determined by the state's medical examiner's office.
It's not the news the family wanted to hear.
"Linda was a wonderful person and would do anything to help anyone that she saw who needed something," said Rich Leonard, Linda's son-in-law.
"We know that she's in her hands now and she's with her family, her parents and her brothers and sisters that have passed. We're thankful that we know she's not suffering and she's not out in the cold or anything like that," said Leonard.
Leonard says Airington was heavily involved in her church community and loved by all. He says her symptoms progressed quickly.
Alzheimer's and dementia advocates share more about warning signs.
"Are they asking the same questions over and over again? Are they asking you about things that you told them yesterday or a few hours earlier? And are they usually very easy to get along with? Go with the flow and love everyone and they seem bothered or anxious by the crowd," said Lisa Levine with Dementia Alliance of North Carolina.
Advocates also say to use the holidays to see loved ones and connect with local groups for support.
"It's important to lay eyes on your family members and see them. And as soon as you can as soon as you learn about dementia, you need to put things in place. You need to start thinking ahead, what could happen and be prepared for those things, because we get very overwhelmed when we become a caregiver," said Levine.
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If you have any information that could help in the investigation, please contact the Johnston County Sheriff's Office at (919)989-5000.