Kenyan Woman, 68, Found Safe After Disappearing at Chicago Airport

A Kenyan woman who went missing in Chicago earlier this week has been found safe and reunited with her family.

Mary Kisesewa, known as Ndota, went missing on Tuesday, 25 August, after she failed to board a scheduled flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Philadelphia. The 68-year-old, who lives in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, was last in contact with her family at 8:47 p.m. on the day she disappeared. 

Surveillance reports indicated that she boarded a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train at O’Hare, returned to the airport and later entered the transit system again. Her family had raised concerns about her safety because she has early-onset dementia, which can make it difficult for people to navigate unfamiliar surroundings.

Relatives and members of the Kenyan diaspora quickly shared appeals on social media and community groups to help locate her. A description of Mary and a security camera image showing the clothes she was wearing were also circulated.

Members of the public were asked to report any information to Chicago Police Area Five or call 911.

The search continued as family, friends and members of the Kenyan community in Chicago and elsewhere in the United States shared information and followed up on possible leads. Mary was eventually located safely and reunited with her family. Her relatives thanked everyone who shared her details, provided information and assisted with the search.