Aerial Search for Missing North Dakota Man Comes Up Empty

73-year-old Alfred Odden with dementia has been missing since last week in Valley City

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:26pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a worn and scuffed car key fob against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the search for a missing person's belongings.The fruitless aerial search for a missing North Dakota man with dementia underscores the challenges in locating vulnerable individuals who have wandered away from home.Valley City Today

The North Dakota Highway Patrol conducted an aerial search on Monday for 73-year-old Alfred Odden, who has been missing since last Thursday in Valley City. Odden, who has dementia, was last seen on security footage at a Casey's convenience store on Wednesday night. Despite the search efforts, no new information was uncovered to assist in locating the missing man.

Why it matters

The disappearance of vulnerable individuals with dementia is a serious concern, as they can become disoriented and lost, putting their safety at risk. The aerial search was an attempt to cover more ground and potentially find clues about Odden's whereabouts, but the lack of results highlights the challenges in locating missing persons, especially in rural areas.

The details

The Highway Patrol used an airplane to search the areas of Barnes and Stutsman Counties on Monday, but no evidence was found to help locate Alfred Odden. Odden was last seen on security footage at a Casey's convenience store in Valley City on Wednesday night, and he made a phone call about 30 minutes later from the same city. Odden was believed to be driving a 1994 Ford F-150 pickup truck that is teal in color with a red topper.

  • Odden was last seen on security footage at a Casey's convenience store in Valley City on Wednesday, April 2, 2026 around 8:30 p.m.
  • Odden made a phone call about 30 minutes later from Valley City on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • The aerial search by the Highway Patrol took place on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Alfred Odden

A 73-year-old man from Wahpeton, North Dakota who has dementia and has been missing since last Thursday.

Bryan Niewind

Captain with the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Matthew Anderson

Police Chief of the Wahpeton Police Department.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Unless additional information is developed, no further aerial searches are planned by the patrol.”

— Bryan Niewind, Captain, North Dakota Highway Patrol

What’s next

The Wahpeton Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies will continue ground searches and follow up on any new leads or information that could help locate Alfred Odden.

The takeaway

The inability to locate Alfred Odden through an aerial search highlights the challenges in finding missing persons, especially those with cognitive impairments like dementia. This case underscores the importance of community vigilance, effective emergency response protocols, and continued search efforts to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals.