’70s musician Linda Perhacs found ‘safe’ after she went missing for eight months
Updated . First published
Linda Perhacs′ former manager Laurel Stearns has a released a statement following news the singer-songwriter has been found.
The famed ’70s folk singer, 82, was found after friends and family plead with the public, revealing they couldn’t get in contact with her for eight months.
Linda Perhacs is best known for her debut album Parallelograms. Instagram/@lindaperhacs
“We are grateful to share that singer-songwriter Linda Perhacs has been located and is safe,” the statement began.
“After a period of concern which friends, collaborators, and members of the music community were unable to establish contact with Linda and had filed police reports accordingly. Law enforcement has just confirmed she has been found and is safe.
They thanked all those who “helped amplify the effort” and said the overwhelming response was “a powerful reminder of the profound impact [of] Linda’s music”.
It continued: “We are especially grateful to the authorities for their assistance and to all those who worked behind the scenes to help bring clarity to this situation.
“At this time, we ask that Linda’s privacy be respected as those close to her determine the best path forward. We hope this moment allows for compassion, healing, and continued support for an artist whose work has touched so many lives.
“Thank you again to everyone who stood with Linda and helped ensure that she was found safely,” they concluded.
A representative from the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit confirmed Perhacs was found “safe” on Wednesday.
Due to US privacy laws, the unit could not publicly share Perhacs’ current location.
Linda Perhacs released three albums over the span of her career. Instagram/@lindaperhacs
The welcome update to Perhacs’ case comes after friends of the psychedelic folk singer took to Instagram on July 28 to announce her disappearance and ask the public for their help.
A joint post by Perhacs’ former manager, Laurel Stearns, and musicians Julia Holter, Mark McNeill, and Jessica Hundley said it has now been months since they last heard from Perhacs.
“[Perhacs] was discharged from a residential care facility approximately eight months ago under the supervision of her legal guardian,” the post read.
“Since then, friends and longtime collaborators have been unable to reach her and repeated attempts to contact her guardian have reportedly gone unanswered. Please help us locate Linda to ensure her wellbeing.”
Perhacs was found safe, Los Angeles police revealed. Instagram/@lindaperhacs_
In response to a comment on the post, McNeill explained that the group had already filed a police report and hired an elder abuse attorney to file a petition with the state.
In an email sent to Rolling Stone, Hundley claimed that Perhacs had been living at the facility for several years, struggling with dementia, adding that they had also now hired a private investigator to help find her.
The friends didn’t want to “intrude” on Perhacs’ privacy but simply ensure her safety.
“Concern is growing among friends, collaborators, and members of the music community regarding the well-being and current whereabouts of acclaimed singer-songwriter Linda Perhacs,” wrote Stearns in a separate statement shared with multiple outlets.
Stearns added that at the moment, “those issuing this statement are not alleging wrongdoing”.
“Rather, they are seeking confirmation that Linda is safe, well, and receiving appropriate care, while expressing concern over the prolonged absence of communication with a beloved public figure.”
Perhacs is best known for her 1970 album Parallelograms, which went relatively unnoticed at the time; it was rediscovered in the ’90s and is now known as a lost psychedelic folk classic.
She released her second album, The Soul of All Natural Things, in 2014, and her third, I’m A Harmony, in 2017.
Perhacs appears to have an active Instagram account, that seems to have recently been taken over by friends and family.
