UPDATE: American woman in Guyana says she is safe

Last Updated on Saturday, 24 January 2026, 12:33 by Denis Chabrol

The 69-year-old American woman, who was reported missing by police in the United States (US), is alive and well in Guyana.

Retired registered nurse, Mary Jones said her property broker contacted her, informing her about Thursday’s report on Demerara Waves Online News.

She said she immediately contacted the US Embassy’s American Citizen Services Abroad where officials asked her to complete documents that allowed them to share her whereabouts.

Ms Jones said she was later referred to the Guyana Police Force to report that she was alive.

She said since arriving in Guyana, she has stayed at a number of locations. “I’m 69 years old and so I make decisions myself,” she said.

Ms Jones said was awaiting a response from her sister who was informed that she is safe.

The woman said her sister reported her missing, prompting Social Security to stop her payments.

However, she said cheques would once again be issued in February.

She recalled telling her family that when she got a residence, she would let them know.

Ms Jones said she opted to try a new country and could very well settle here.

The Gloucester Township Police Department (GTPD) in New Jersey was contacted. An officer there said the American Embassy in Guyana had already contacted his law enforcement agency, informing that the woman was fine.

“I did call the (Gloucester) Police Department and they told me to call the Police Department in Guyana and record that I’m okay and the Police Department in Guyana forwarded it to them,” she added.

Ms Jones did not return to her New Jersey home from a trip to Guyana. She was last heard from by family members on October 3, 2025, and was reported missing on October 28, 2025, according to a GTPD Missing Persons bulletin.

Asked why she decided to visit Guyana, Ms Jones said “a lot of things were happening in my country that I wasn’t too happy about and so I thought let me come here and try a new country,” she said.