A search continued Friday in Leesburg for an 84-year-old woman who has been missing for more than a week.

  • Bernadine Montgomery, 84, last seen June 15
  • Man arrested in connection with missing woman's stolen car
  • Have information? Call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477

Bernadine Montgomery was last seen June 15 at a home on the 100 block of Palmora Boulevard. Her 2005 blue Chevrolet four-door vehicle was also missing, but police found the vehicle abandoned at a nearby park.

Leesburg Police on Friday searched the Ski Beach area in the Palmora Park neighborhood. Authorities have been searching on the water at the park located just off Lake Harris for two days.

Montgomery was reported missing Wednesday, June 22.

Jeremy David Gentry, 43, was arrested Thursday, June 23, on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle.

According to an arrest affidavit, a witness who lives near Montgomery's home noticed a man, who has since been identified as Gentry, driving the missing woman's vehicle. A registered co-owner of the vehicle was contacted and said Gentry didn't have permission to be in possession of the vehicle, a report states.

"(Gentry) confirmed that he had not received permission from the missing female to possess the vehicle, and when asked with regard to what had happened to her and where she was currently located, he claimed that he did not remember, citing his use of illegal narcotics," an arrest affidavit states.

Gentry is being held on no bond, according to Lake County jail records.

"We're certainly praying for a safe and healthy recovery of (Montgomery)," Leesburg Police Lt. Joe Iozzi said. "However, we are preparing for a negative outcome, as well."

Detectives have interviewed persons of interest. Crime scene investigators with the Lake County Sheriff's Office taped off Montgomery's home and have searched in and outside her home for evidence.

People who attend the same church as Montgomery said the woman typically walks most places and doesn't drive much.

"It was a concerned neighbor that called because they hadn't seen Ms. Montgomery in approximately one week," Iozzi said. "They had also seen people coming and going from the house, driving her car, which raised another red flag."

The Sheriff's Office's dive team and cadaver dogs helped in the search Friday.

"We've been conducting interviews with any and all parties that could be connected with the case," Iozzi said.

Iozzi said anyone with video or photo surveillance of their property that's in the Palmora Park area could help in the investigation.

Anyone with information on Montgomery's whereabouts is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).


Bernadine Montgomery, 84, was last seen June 15 at a home on the 100 block of Palmora Boulevard. (Leesburg Police)


Jeremy David Gentry, 43, was arrested Thursday, June 23, on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle. (Lake County Corrections)