Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: HELP FIND MISSING GRANDMOTHER ANNIE TISDALE

Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

In this urgent episode, Nancy Grace brings national attention to the disappearance of Annie Tisdale, a 78-year-old grandmother living with dementia who vanished after a routine errand in Abbeville, South Carolina. The episode features interviews with Annie’s granddaughter, Ryan Tisdale, and security expert Brian Fitzgibbons, exploring key leads and appealing to listeners and law enforcement for help. The tone is empathetic, suspenseful, and determined, emphasizing the importance of swift public action to locate Ms. Tisdale.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Disappearance: Timeline and Circumstances

• Initial Timeline (02:42–05:18):
  • Annie Tisdale left home for a restaurant. After an issue with her order, she went back out.
  • She was seen at a gas station in Abbeville, SC, purchasing a lottery ticket (unconfirmed), between 6:00–6:15 pm.
  • Subsequent sightings via license plate/camera surveillance trace her vehicle through Greenwood, SC, and then into Georgia (Elberton, Livonia), indicating she became lost and disoriented over a 10+ hour period.
  • Last confirmed vehicle sighting: "Sunday morning, 7:00 am–7:38 am going northbound towards I85" (07:05) in Livonia, Georgia.
  • Annie last wore a black polka dot dress and a cowboy hat, driving a 2015 black Toyota Tacoma (License: 331860W).

"It appears that she lost and turned around and could not figure out how to get back home."
— Dave Mack, (04:35)

2. Family Perspectives: Urgency and Annie's Dementia

• Concern from Annie's Granddaughter, Ryan Tisdale (05:52–07:43):
  • Ryan and her father are actively searching for Annie.
  • "We think that she did get lost and took a wrong turn..." (05:52)
  • The last confirmed camera sightings show only one person in the vehicle.
  • Ryan doubts Annie is still driving due to lack of sightings and the possibility of running out of gas.

"I don't believe that she's driving only because the camera hasn't picked it up. The only way we would think that she’s driving is if she had gotten more gas."
— Ryan Tisdale, (06:49)

• Dementia History & Recent Decline (10:55–12:30):
  • No formal dementia diagnosis despite failing a cognitive test; significant recent decline noted.
  • Annie has become "forgetful, unable to recall basic information, and prone to getting lost."
  • Family had been trying to arrange additional care; Annie lost 40 pounds recently and has chronic health issues.

"She cannot remember things that she should normally know. ... The map of her getting lost and driving back and forth ... is a clear indicator."
— Ryan Tisdale, (12:02)

3. The Search: Strategies and What Makes Annie’s Case Unique

• Importance of the Vehicle in the Search (07:43–10:12):
  • Security expert Brian Fitzgibbons stresses that sharing the vehicle and plate info is the key to generating leads.

"Vehicles are easier to find than people. That vehicle is going to be crucial here."
— Brian Fitzgibbons, (08:07)

• Vehicle Identification Details (09:36–10:12):

  • Disability symbol on rear plate, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Greek letters (AΦA) on the front plate.

• Cell Phone Status (10:26–10:41):

  • Annie’s phone powered off or died soon after leaving home, last pinged in Abbeville.

• Search Tactics for Dementia Cases (13:56–14:59):

  • People with dementia may hide or seek shelter nearby if separated from their vehicle.
  • Brian Fitzgibbons advises focused searches of non-obvious shelter areas within a couple-mile radius of the vehicle location.

"Patients with dementia will often ... seek some kind of concealment or shelter. ... open sheds, fence lines, brush lines..."
— Brian Fitzgibbons, (14:04)

4. Key Personal Details

• Annie was a schoolteacher for 39 years and knows the area well (16:13).
• She left the house with only $60—no credit/debit cards (16:13).
• She has sleep apnea and may sleep in her vehicle, emphasizing the importance of checking roadside stops or side roads.

5. Emotional Appeals and Public Call-to-Action

• Multiple urgent appeals by Nancy Grace and guests to law enforcement, truckers, and the general public to be on the lookout for Annie’s Tacoma.
• Repeated broadcast of tip line numbers: Abbeville County Sheriff's: 864-366-5832 or 911 (12:30, 17:06).

"Please help us bring Grandmother Ms. Tisdale home to her husband and her family. … If you know or think you know anything about Ms. Tisdale’s disappearance, please call..."
— Nancy Grace, (17:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the key strategy for locating Annie:

  "The vehicle is the key."
  — Nancy Grace, (10:12)

• Emotional outreach:

  "Her family, including her granddaughter Ryan, begging for your help. Please do not turn away."
  — Nancy Grace, (12:30)

• On searching for dementia patients:

  "If we find the vehicle and Ms. Tisdale is not with the vehicle, we need to begin searching what we call hiding spots... open sheds, fence lines, brush lines..."
  — Brian Fitzgibbons, (14:04)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 02:42 | Nancy Grace introduces case – Annie Tisdale missing | | 03:29 | Dave Mack gives detailed missing timeline | | 05:18 | Introduction of granddaughter Ryan; family perspective| | 07:43 | Expert Brian Fitzgibbons on importance of vehicle | | 09:36 | Specifics about Tacoma (disability symbol, plates) | | 10:55 | Ryan on Annie’s dementia and health issues | | 12:30 | Reiteration of tip line, physical description | | 13:44 | History—Any prior disappearances | | 14:04 | Search tactics for dementia cases | | 16:13 | Dave Mack on Annie’s personal background | | 17:06 | Nancy Grace’s final public call and recap |

Call to Action

The family and authorities urge anyone who has seen Annie Tisdale or her distinctive 2015 black Toyota Tacoma (license 331860W, disability symbol, Alpha Phi Alpha front plate) to immediately contact the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office at 864-366-5832 or dial 911.
The episode closes on a note of urgency and hope, encouraging listeners to join the search and spread the word.

If you have any information, please act. Your tip could save Annie Tisdale’s life.