Massachusetts

Gloucester Woman Goes Missing Just Before Her Super Bowl Party, Police Say

Abbie Flynn, 59, was reported missing by guests who arrived for the party on Sunday, only to find she wasn't there, police said

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A woman went missing shortly before a Super Bowl party she had planned at her home in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Sunday, and she wasn't found a day later.

Authorities suspended the active search for Abbie Flynn, 59, on Monday evening but continue to investigate her disappearance, Gloucester police said in a statement.

She went missing about 4:30 p.m. Sunday after telling her son she was going for a walk in the Farrington Avenue area, according to Gloucester Police Chief Edward Conley. Guests arrived at Flynn's home in the evening and contacted police after discovering she was not there.

"Abbey was holding a Super Bowl party last night. Two of her guests that arrived found her not at home and they thought that was kind of strange and they contacted the Gloucester Police Department," Conley said.

An extensive search began Sunday night and continued Monday, when the U.S. Coast Guard began assisting.

"The U.S. Coast Guard has had 47-foot boats out in the water searching off of Brace Cove. It was an area that Abbey was known to frequent," Conley said.

Massachusetts State Police, state environmental police, the Gloucester and Rockport harbor masters and the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council were also helping to search.

Neighbors said Flynn is married with a couple of older children and is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast. Her disappearance has residents baffled.

"It's usual. On the neighborhood chat site, nobody seems to know what to make of it," neighbor Fred Young said. "You know, this is my route when I walk so it's kind of sketching me out."

Flynn has brown hair and was last seen wearing a red jacket, Conley said.

So far, police do not suspect any foul play.

"They say there's nothing suspect or anything but seriously. I just pray that they find her and they find wrong. Well, that's my whole walk today, praying for her," neighbor Deanna Ouderkerken said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Gloucester Police Department at 978-283-1212.

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