DULUTH — The family of a 74-year-old Duluth woman who has been missing for almost six months says the months since her disappearance have been cruel.

Dale Gerard suffers from dementia and went missing from her assisted-living home in West Duluth July 20.

The captain of the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Tom Crossmon, said the investigation is no longer active, unless a tip comes in. But none have surfaced since November.

Her son Kim Gerard said his mother had had dementia for at least five years and was a “trusting” person, noting she would have accepted a ride from a stranger.

He said pharmacies are set up to alert authorities if her medications are purchased.

He said it’s a “killer to have no closure.”