This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After a week, police and family members searching for a missing Tooele woman have so far turned up few clues to indicate where she has gone.
Jane Ashby, 62, was last seen in Tooele on July 31 after telling family members that she was leaving for a meeting at work.
According to Tooele Police Lt. Paul Wimmer, there was no such meeting, and Ashby hasn't been heard from since. Wimmer said that police were able to track her cell phone to the American Fork area before the phone ran out of batteries.
"We're just hoping for a break," Wimmer said Wednesday. "We're getting a week into this and still no sign of her."
Various police agencies in Salt Lake and Utah counties, as well as investigators from the Division of Wildlife resources, have been on the lookout for Ashby's red Ford Escape. Wimmer said her family also has organized their own search parties in various canyons in the Wasatch Mountains that she was known to enjoy.
Ashby's daughter, Michelle Graves, said the family may begin searching in the Fairview Canyon area, a place that Ashby and her late husband used to enjoy visiting together.
Graves said her mother had been struggling with depression ever since her husband, Grant Ashby, passed away in December. Graves said she went to visit her mother after Ashby had been talking about having suicidal thoughts.
While family had concerns, her behavior in the months before her disappearance was not normal for Ashby, who Graves described as a "pillar of the community" who was generous and considerate of others.
"We just love her and want to find her no matter what happens," Graves said.
Police say Ashby recently bought household cleaning chemicals which, when mixed, can produce toxic fumes. For that reason, anyone who may spot Ashby's vehicle is cautioned to call the police and not approach the vehicle.
Ashby is described as having brown hair and brown eyes, is about 5-foot-2 and 150 pounds. Her red Ford Escape has the Utah license plate number B338RG.
Anyone with information about Ashby's location or that of her vehicle should call Tooele County Dispatch at 435-882-5600. Tips can also be sent via text message by sending "TOOLETIP" plus the message to the number 274637, or CRIMES.
Twitter: @KimballBennion —
Tip help
Anyone with information about Ashby's location or that of her vehicle should contact Tooele County Dispatch.
By phone • 435-882-5600
Text message • send "TOOLETIP" plus the message to the number 274637, or CRIMES.