Missing Hurst woman ‘packed a suitcase,’ husband told lawyer
A 72-year-old Hurst woman who has been missing for more than a month packed clothes and personal items in a suitcase about the same time she left home, her husband’s attorney said Tuesday.
Police have been investigating the disappearance of Norma Shultz since her husband, 73, reported her missing on May 25.
He told police she walked away from home on May 24, Hurst police Sgt. Craig Teague said.
But investigators believe Shultz has been missing from her home in the 800 block of Billie Ruth Lane since May 19.
When Shultz’s husband was contacted by the Star-Telegram Tuesday, his only response was to “call Jack Strickland.”
Strickland is a former lead prosecutor for the Tarrant County district attorney’s office. Strickland said he is representing her husband, but the main goal “is to try and locate his wife safe and sound.”
The disappearance is a “very confusing set of circumstances” and the husband is an “elderly man,” Strickland said.
“I haven’t been able to pin down his recollection,” Strickland said Tuesday night. “He does seem to be a bit confused from time to time.”
Police said Shultz’s mother died a few months ago and she had been upset about that. Strickland said her husband believes that played a part in her state of mind.
Police said Shultz left her vehicle at her house, and her husband told them he saw her walk away.
“I don’t think he ever suggested that he saw her walk away,” Strickland said. “But the signs of her leaving were obvious — suitcase taken, personal items taken.”
Shultz’s children have paid for a billboard on Airport Freeway near downtown Fort Worth, asking for help in finding her. The billboard went up this week.
Shultz is described as being 5-foot-1, 140 pounds and Hispanic.
“She has grandkids in the area. She has missed several big family events, which is completely out of character for her,” Teague said.
Monica S. Nagy, 817-390-7792
Have you seen Norma Shultz?
Police are asking anyone with information to call Detective Feucht at 817-788-7174, Detective Noone at 817-788-7172 or police dispatch at 817-788-7180.
This story was originally published June 22, 2015 at 8:20 PM with the headline "Missing Hurst woman ‘packed a suitcase,’ husband told lawyer."