Friends and collaborators of celebrated folk singer Linda Perhacs are voicing grave concern over her well-being, having lost contact with her for the past eight months. At 82 years old, Perhacs had been residing in a memory care facility until her discharge late last year, supervised by her legal guardian. Since then, her inner circle has struggled to establish communication, prompting them to raise alarms about her safety.
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The anxiety surrounding Perhacs’ condition intensified after a message was shared on her Instagram account by her former manager, Laurel Stearns, on July 27. In the post, Stearns disclosed that attempts to reach both Perhacs and her guardian have been met with silence. The post, which described the situation as “missing,” appealed for fans and followers to assist in locating the singer.
Stearns, in a separate statement provided to PEOPLE, clarified that those speaking out are “not alleging wrongdoing,” but rather they are “seeking confirmation that Linda is safe, well, and receiving appropriate care.” The statement acknowledged the deep-rooted concern shared by many within the community, stating, “As a public artist whose work has profoundly influenced musicians and listeners around the world, Linda’s wellbeing is of genuine concern to a broad community of admirers and colleagues.”
Perhacs, who first gained recognition for her 1970 debut album, *Parallelograms*, has seen a remarkable resurgence in interest and influence over the years. Her journey back into the spotlight began when an indie label contacted her about reissuing the album, which had initially failed to make an impact. This unexpected revival led her to return to performing, with new music released in 2014 and subsequent albums following in 2017.
Despite the burgeoning recognition, the current situation has stirred anxiety among her fans. Notably, writer Jessica Hundley revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that Perhacs has been diagnosed with dementia. Efforts to locate her have involved contact with elder care services and filing police reports, alongside hiring a private investigator.
Stearns reiterated the commitment of those concerned for Perhacs, emphasizing that their priority is to ensure her safety and comfort. “We are taking all measures,” she said. “Our priority here is to get the word out and make sure that she is safe and comfortable.”
Among those who have been closely involved with Perhacs is Fernando Perdomo, who co-produced her latter albums. He recounted efforts to reach her, stating that six weeks prior, he discovered she had been moved from the residential facility by her next of kin. Unfortunately, due to California law, details surrounding her whereabouts remain undisclosed.
Perdomo expressed frustration, noting that previous lines of communication with her next of kin have gone cold. “His number, which we had used to contact him, is no longer connecting, and I fear we’ve been blocked,” he said. “So we need to find her. The good news is one of my clients has assisted us in filing an official report with the California Department of Social Services, a step we hope will lead to finding her.”
The community surrounding Perhacs remains hopeful for a positive outcome, eager to confirm her safety and re-establish contact with the beloved musician. With numerous fans echoing the sentiment, the call for information about Perhacs’ condition urges anyone with verified knowledge to connect with her authorised representatives.
As a pivotal figure in folk music, Perhacs’ contributions are treasured by many, resulting in an outpouring of love and support from her listeners. The ongoing efforts to locate her reflect the collective concern for an artist whose melodies have played a significant role in resonating across generations.