Sandra Hall, 80, a former member of the legendary singing group ‘The Platters’, has been found safe after disappearing in Brooklyn for four days.
Hall, who suffers from dementia, was discovered at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday, her family confirmed, as reported by the New York Post.
According to relatives, Hall had been taken to the hospital on Friday, the same day she went missing, but without identification, she was listed as a “Jane Doe.” Authorities initially checked hospitals but did not locate her until midweek.
Family Describes Agonizing Search
Hall’s daughter, Natasha Barrett, said the days waiting for news were unbearable. “I can’t tell you how much angst, how worried, I would sit out here and look up and down the street and wait for her to come back,” Barrett said.
X quickly filled with search appeals & concerned messages from fans as the beloved singer remained untraceable, with many sharing photos and memories in hopes of helping bring her home.
Her granddaughter & caregiver, Tairese Barrett, said they were in Downtown Brooklyn around 4 p.m. Friday to see a show at the Brooklyn Music Academy when Hall wandered off. “It was very hard, very hard, especially for me because I’m like if something happened to her, that would be my fault,” Tairese said.
A Pattern of Wandering Off
Tairese explained this wasn’t the first time her grandmother had gone missing, though never for this long. “She’s done this before, she hopped on a bus when I had two of my children with me… but she came back,” she recalled, as per ABC News.
This time, Hall was last seen boarding a subway at Atlantic Avenue near the Barclays Center & Atlantic Terminal Mall. “She’s gonna be jailed in the house,” Tairese joked after learning her grandmother was safe. “I can’t do this again. No way. This was too much.”
Hall’s Career With The Platters
Hall, who lived in Flatbush, joined The Platters in 1965 under the stage name Sandra Dawn, during a brief chart resurgence for the group.
The Platters first formed in 1952 & became known for classics like “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” “Only You” & “The Great Pretender.”
Over the years, the group’s smooth harmonies & romantic ballads cemented their place in music history, influencing countless artists who followed. They toured extensively, bringing their signature sound to audiences around the world.
The group underwent many lineup changes over the decades & was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Herb Reed, the last surviving original member, died in 2012 at age 83, marking the end of an era for one of America’s most cherished vocal ensembles.
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50s Singer Goes Missing & Her Family Reaches Out for Help: UPDATE