Oregon State Police are searching for 28-year-old Maria Linda Jade Kilmer, who vanished after her car ran out of gas on Highway 22 near milepost 15 around 9 p.m. on March 28. A passenger said she left with an "unidentified motorist," leaving behind her phone, purse, keys, ID, birth certificate, glasses and medication. Her mother reports receiving suspicious texts from numbers claiming to be Kilmer and says her daughter has a history of mental illness. Authorities have released a description and asked anyone with information to call 911 or *677 and reference case SP26-104740.
28-Year-Old Oregon Woman Missing After Accepting Ride on Highway 22; Family Seeks Answers
Maria Linda Jade Kilmer.Credit: Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police are searching for 28-year-old Maria Linda Jade Kilmer after she disappeared late on Saturday, March 28, following an interaction on Highway 22.
What Happened
Authorities say Kilmer was last seen near milepost 15 at about 9 p.m. after her vehicle ran out of gas while she and a passenger were traveling from Lyons to Salem. The passenger told investigators that Kilmer accepted a ride from an "unidentified motorist" who had stopped at the scene; she has not been heard from since.
Maria Linda Jade Kilmer, who disappeared on March 28 after leaving her car on Highway 22Credit: Oregon State Police
Items Left Behind
Oregon State Police report that Kilmer left several personal items in the vehicle, including her keys, purse, identification and cell phone. Her mother, Amber Brecht, later said the car also contained Kilmer's birth certificate, eyeglasses and daily medication.
"Something is not adding up. We realize something is wrong here," Brecht told local reporters after visiting the scene with Kilmer's sister.
Family Concerns
Brecht says she has received multiple text messages from different numbers claiming to be Kilmer, but that the messages did not sound like her daughter. The family also noted Kilmer has a history of mental illness, though Brecht said Kilmer normally would still check in even on a bad day.
Maria Linda Jade Kilmer left personal belongings behind in her car when she left with who police describe as an "unidentified motorist"Credit: Oregon State Police
Physical Description
- Age: 28
- Height: 5 ft. 8 in.
- Weight: About 180 lbs.
- Hair: Dark
- Eyes: Blue
- Distinctive features: Center lower-lip piercing; often dresses in all black, according to her mother
How to Help
Anyone with information about Kilmer's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact Oregon State Police dispatch from a mobile phone at *677 (*OSP) and reference case number SP26-104740. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
The family has asked the public not to assign blame and simply wants to confirm Kilmer's welfare and location.
Help us improve.
