Friday, April 6th, 2007
86-year-old woman abducted from home
Son says mother made cell phone call from assailant's car trunk
By Margie Wuebker
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the apparent abduction of an 86-year-old Fort Loramie woman who used her cell phone to call 911 from the perpetrator's car trunk.
Victoria M. Eilerman apparently was confronted by someone who walked into her 7990 state Route 705 home early Thursday afternoon. Signs of a struggle as well as blood found at the scene lead authorities to believe the elderly woman did not go willingly and they do not suspect robbery as a possible motive.
Eilerman had gone shopping earlier in the day with a daughter (Linda Platfoot). Don Eilerman, one of the woman's seven children, told The Daily Standard they arrived home around noon and his mother was to play cards with friends an hour later.
When she did not arrive to pick up her sister at an appointed time, a brother-in-law went to check on her whereabouts. After spotting "drops of blood" in the house, he assumed she possibly cut herself and went to get help, according to Don Eilerman.
He indicated his mother placed the first cell phone call to 911 a short time later. Bulletins carried over scanners during the night and again this morning informed area law enforcement agencies the woman placed three cell phone calls within a short period and reported being assaulted. There have been no more communications, according to her son.
Authorities are looking for a 6-foot tall white male driving an older model (1970s or 1980s) black sports-style car such as a Camaro or Trans Am described as being "a person and vehicle of interest." It is possible the vehicle does not have hubcaps.
A neighbor reported seeing a vehicle matching that description in the area east of Fort Loramie between noon and 2 p.m.
Don Eilerman said his mother had noticed a white van driven by a well-dressed man pulling into a neighbor's lane shortly after she and her daughter arrived home. However, that vehicle is not believed to have been involved in the subsequent abduction.
"We are keeping all avenues open to any other information that may lead us in another direction," O'Leary stated in a news release. He did not respond to repeated messages left on his answering machine this morning and a dispatcher indicated there was nothing new in the case.
Victoria Eilerman has lived alone since the death of her husband Paul in December 2004 and deals with heart problems. Her son indicated she was not in the habit of locking her doors and authorities reportedly found no sign of forced entry.
"There are lots of theories in connection with Mom's disappearance," he said. "The most common is that someone walked in, surprised her and then abducted her because he did not know what to do with her."
Family members are keeping vigil at an undisclosed residence and praying for a positive outcome. Although hoping for the best, they fear the worst with each passing hour.
