News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Sheriff's Office coordinates successful search for missing woman near McNeil Campground

Posted: Aug. 25, 2011, 7:50 a.m.

Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #11-25630

At about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office received a call about a missing female.

Family members reported that a 34-year-old woman from Tacoma, Washington had gone for a walk along the river at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday (Aug. 24), and had not returned. The family was on a camping trip at the McNeil Campground in the Mt. Hood National Forest when she disappeared.

The family said it was normal for her to go off for a walk, but rarely for more than an hour. When she did not return, family members became concerned -- and flagged down a passerby for assistance.

The missing woman was last seen wearing a pink shirt and blue shorts, but no shoes. She did not have a cell phone with her, and was not carrying any food or water.

Search-and-rescue (SAR) crews from Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Mountain Wave Emergency Communications, NORSAR, AMR and Search ONE K9 Detection looked for the woman throughout the night using search dogs, but were not able to locate her. There were approximately 40 searchers working through the night.

The Oregon Army National Guard planned to send a helicopter to aid in the search on Thursday, Aug. 25. Additionally, search-and-rescue crews from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Search ONE also planned to arrive to assist in the search.

UPDATE (Aug. 25, 10:06 a.m.): MISSING WOMAN LOCATED, UNINJURED, REUNITED WITH FAMILY

At 8:08 a.m. this morning (Thursday, Aug. 25), the missing woman was located on Lolo Pass Road at Cold Springs, several miles from camp. The 34-year-old woman from Tacoma, Washington was found tired and hungry but uninjured.

She was reunited with her family at the scene. They are on their way home at this writing.

This missing woman had gone on a walk from her campsite the evening before. She wore shorts, a tank top and had no shoes. She carried no water or food, and had planned on returning shortly to camp.

The woman became turned around and lost. She was unable to find her way back to camp. She continued to walk the area, attempting to find her way back. Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Coordinators initiated a mission, deploying over 40 volunteer searchers, to locate her.

The missing woman later told searchers she stopped walking when it got dark and stayed put throughout the night. Once daylight arrived, she again continued moving in search of help.

At 8:08 a.m. she wandered onto Lolo Pass Road near Cold Springs, several miles from her camp. She was located by a searching Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputy. The woman was uninjured, and was returned to the mission command post to be reunited with her family.

After being checked by paramedics at the scene, the woman and her family began their trip home.

Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #11-25630.

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Contact Info:
James Rhodes, Sergeant
Office of Public Information
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office