Missing 76-year-old Virginia Beach woman went to throw out trash, doesn’t speak English, family says

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.  — Authorities and loved ones are searching for a missing 76-year-old woman who was last seen Tuesday morning in the Ocean Lakes/Dam Neck area of Virginia Beach.

VBPD started searching Wednesday morning and Virginia State Police sent out a Senior Alert just before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The family of Shu Jin Wu says she was last seen around 7:30 Tuesday morning when she went to take the trash out at her home in the 1500 block of Gallery Ave. The family dialed 911 a few hours later to report her missing, police said.

Wu does not speak English, but does speak Mandarin, and does not have her cell phone.

She also takes high blood pressure medication that she does not have with her. Her family says she has not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but State Police said in their announcement that she suffers from cognitive impairment.

At this time there’s no indication of foul play. She doesn’t drive and is expected to be on foot. She’s about 5 feet 2 inches tall and 100 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Family members are stitching together sightings reported at the Malbon Brothers Mart at General Booth Blvd., near Ocean Lakes High School and Upton Drive. Those reports concern the family since they would indicate she crossed the busy General Booth Blvd.

Wu’s family says she was wearing the same outfit that she is pictured in above. Anyone with information is asked to call VBPD at (757) 385-5000 or contact the VBPD detective bureau at (757) 385-4101.