Name: Mary Dawn Wilson
AKA: Mary Dawn Standley
Age: 69 years old
Last Seen: July 12, 2022
Location: Healy, Alaska
Status: Still missing
Case Information
69 year old Mary Wilson was last seen in Healy, Alaska on July 2, 2022. She disappeared after staying the night with friends.
Disappearance
On the morning of July 2, 2022, Mary Wilson was last seen at a residence near Healy, Alaska, where she had stayed the night with friends. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Mary was officially reported missing on July 14 after her vehicle, a Ford Focus, was found abandoned on the Stampede Trail.
Investigation
At 1:30 am on July 14, 2022, Mary’s vehicle was found stuck about 6.8 miles down the Stampede Trail near Haley. A 2 year old girl who Mary had agreed to watch for several days was found locked inside the vehicle.
The 2 year old belongs to one of Mary’s close friends, and was found in good health. Initial reports stated that the child was Mary’s granddaughter, but that has since been corrected. Troopers estimate the girl had been locked in the car for approximately 2 days.
Relatives told troopers they consider the woman the child’s grandmother, a spokesman said. She was watching the child while the mother worked in rural Alaska at a mine.
Some of Mary’s personal belongings were found at the 7.8 mile mark of the Stampede Trail, though extensive searches of the area were unable to find any additional clues as to her whereabouts.
Authorities believe Mary left the child locked in the car and went to get help after her vehicle got stuck.
“It is believed that on Tuesday July 12 when Mary’s vehicle became stuck, she began walking in a direction heading further away from the Parks Highway. Personal items believed to belong to Mary were located at approximately 7.8 mile of the Stampede Trail,” troopers wrote.
“Village Public Safety Officer’s, members of Solstice Search Dogs, Mat-Su Search & Rescue, Alaska Wilderness Search & Rescue, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, AST Helo 2, and volunteers are actively searching the surrounding area from the vehicle’s location.”
Appearance
Mary has gray hair, blue eyes, stands 4’10 tall, and weighs 160 pounds.
Clothing & Accessories:
Mary was last seen wearing a floral dress on top of multiple layers of clothing, and a cream colored hooded sweatshirt with a green flower print.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Mary Dawn Wilson please contact the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 269-5511.
Resources & Further Information
Mary Dawn Wilson – NamUs
Mary Dawn Wilson – The Charley Project
Media Links
Authorities Call Off Search For Woman Whose Grandchild Was Found Alone Inside Locked Car In Alaska – People
Search Ends For Alaska Grandma Whose 2 Year Old Grandchild Found Alone In Car – FOX5
Missing In The North: Mary Dawn Wilson – Alaska’s News Source
I knew Mary Standley when she was about 18 years old, perhaps knowing her father better. At that time, they were in Fairbanks or in the Denali Park area. They were rugged Alaska types familiar with backcountry survival and had the ability to live off the land.
I last heard of Mary when she was on the Kobuk River near Noatak. I lost track from that point.