Indiana mom misses daughter’s volleyball game and a suspicious fire engulfs her home – but there is no sign of her

In a case that has left the Bainbridge, Indiana, community in shock, Britney Gard went missing on September 30, 2025. Her disappearance was discovered after she failed to attend her daughter’s volleyball game on October 1, which her family says was unlike her to miss.

The same day, emergency responders found smoke coming from her home, but after extinguishing the fire, the missing mother of two was nowhere to be found. Her car and purse were still at the residence, raising suspicions of foul play. Her daughter was reportedly with her dad the night before the game.

What Happened to Britney Gard?

The day after Gard, 46, was last seen, on October 1, at approximately 7:39 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of smoke emanating from her home on East County Road 600 North in Bainbridge, about 40 miles from Indianapolis. Upon extinguishing the blaze, they found no one inside. Attempts to contact Gard by family and friends have been unsuccessful, and a drone-assisted search of the area yielded no leads. The fire has been deemed “suspicious in nature,” and the cause remains under investigation.

Gard’s family is frantic. Her sister, Stephanie Bowen, expressed deep concern, stating, “Her car’s at home, her purse is at home. She’s nowhere to be found, and the house is on fire. It makes no sense,” according to Indiana news outlet WRTV.

The status of the search

The family has actively searched, including cornfields and wooded areas near Gard’s property. They’ve also been distributing flyers and urging the community to check home security footage for any unusual activity.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, along with the FBI and Indiana State Police, is leading the investigation. Authorities are utilizing drones and conducting searches of nearby ponds in an effort to locate Gard. Detectives are also working to identify any devices that could provide clues to her whereabouts. The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information to come forward.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has set up a tip line for anonymous information: 765-653-3211, extension 699. Additionally, a Facebook page titled “Find Britney Gard” has been created to raise awareness and gather information. Community members are encouraged to share any relevant information that could assist in locating Gard.