Family of missing woman offers $25,000 reward

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A $25,000 reward is being offered by the family of a missing woman in hopes of bringing about her safe return.

The family of Barbara Stoffer is offering the reward, according to New Madrid assistant chief of police Joey Higgerson, for her safe return or for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance. Stoffer, 83, of New Madrid went missing Aug. 20.

The announcement of the award came after another search for Stoffer by more than 70 volunteers. Law enforcement officers were joined Saturday by search and rescue teams from Missouri, Tennessee and Illinois, as well as local residents. The search was conducted on foot, using all-terrain vehicles and with specially trained dogs.

Officials centered Saturday's search near Parma, Mo. According to Higgerson, Stoffer was last seen driving her 1997 green four-door Volvo 850 with Missouri license plate number 073RYW near the intersection of Route D and Highway 153.

Late Saturday afternoon, Higgerson said, despite their efforts, there was no trace of Stoffer.

"We covered a lot of ground. Unfortunately, we didn't find anything," he said.

Higgerson said, despite not locating Stoffer during Saturday's search, law enforcement will continue their efforts to find the woman.

"I want people to know we are being proactive," he said. "Several people work every day on the case."

Stoffer is 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds and has gray hair.

Anyone seeing the missing person or vehicle, or anyone having any information related to the missing person, is asked to contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call Higgerson at 573-748-0669, Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper David Patton at 573-258-1213 or New Madrid County deputy Danny Ware at 573-748-2516 or 573-748-0148.

Pertinent address:

New Madrid, Mo.