Daughter of Catherine Curtis calls her disappearance a 'nightmare'

The daughter of 60-year-old Catherine Curtis, Janelle DePeazer, says she's been living a "nightmare" since her mother disappeared after receiving psychiatric care at Grace Hospital.

Curtis was last seen Monday morning in the St. James area, said Winnipeg police.

She was admitted to Grace Hospital on April 13th for mental issues, said DePeazer. Her doctors diagnosed her with anxiety and depression but did not deem her a suicide risk, said daughter DePeazer.

Curtis left on a hospital-sanctioned unaccompanied walk and never came back. She has never gone missing before and it is unlike her not to call friends or family, said DePeazer.

"Previous walks she had always come back. So here we are Tuesday heading into the evening and we've had a few sightings for Monday but we desperately need some people to report sightings today," said DePeazer.

Before Curtis left the hospital she had refused to take some of her medication, she said. Her psychiatrist had not expressed any possible concerns to DePeazer about her choice not to take her prescription.

"The doctors are surprised about [Curtis's disappearance]. They're really shocked. They keep on telling me that my mum is not suicidal or anything. Never expressed any of those ideas. She has a strong Christian faith so they never had any of those concerns," said DePeazer.

DePeazer said her mother had a "difficult weekend" and the hospital and a nurse had told her she appeared "withdrawn" before left.

"I would say she wasn't in the best state over these last few days," said DePeazer.

"We're hoping she's okay because she didn't have any of those suicidal feelings. She's weak and frail though. She may have just exhausted herself and could be somewhere passed out."

Volunteer searchers to meet Tuesday

She said her mother was spotted in a flower shop in the Courts of St. James on Monday but there have been no sightings on Tuesday so far.

Volunteer searchers are meeting Tuesday evening at the Sturgeon Creek Community Centre to hand out flyers.

Curtis is described as 5-foot-4 and about 85 pounds with blue eyes and long white hair worn in a ponytail.

She might be wearing a navy blue jacket, blue jeans, white sneakers and either a white baseball cap or knitted grey toque, police said.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to contact the missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.