Multiple agencies are continuing search efforts through a rural area of northern New York for a woman with dementia last seen earlier this week, according to police. Investigators with state police said 78-year-old Rita Wilson, of Redford, was last seen at approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. A family member told police she likely walked away from her home on Elm Street and has not been seen since. Law enforcement reports deploying officers and a bloodhound on the ground once the missing persons report was received, in addition to launching a drone over the area. That effort included local, state and federal agencies in addition to local volunteer groups. The search was suspended temporarily for darkness, relaunching Wednesday morning with upwards of 100 people searching for Wilson. A spokesperson with state police commended local volunteers for their commitment and preparation to navigate a still-expanding search area. “Today we’ve expanded all the way down to the Saranac River, to the other side of the river,” said Lt. Brian Dubay, with the state forest rangers, “We have a crew that searched the river via raft.”Investigators are asking for public assistance in the search, requesting those nearby check home and trail cameras for possible sightings and report potentially information to state police. “We continue to take any leads that we get through investigation and we’re running them down with a search crew,” Dubay said. With search efforts continuing past a day in length, Dubay said he is holding out hope that Wilson will be found alive. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I’m always amazed at what the human body can endure,” he said. “So we’re still looking for a walking, talking Rita.” Wilson is 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 128 pounds, according to a police report. She was last seen wearing a red jacket with the word “Cortland,” blue jeans and loafers.Anyone with additional information on Wilson’s whereabouts is being asked to call state police at 518-873-2777.
Multiple agencies are continuing search efforts through a rural area of northern New York for a woman with dementia last seen earlier this week, according to police.
Investigators with state police said 78-year-old Rita Wilson, of Redford, was last seen at approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. A family member told police she likely walked away from her home on Elm Street and has not been seen since.
Advertisement
Law enforcement reports deploying officers and a bloodhound on the ground once the missing persons report was received, in addition to launching a drone over the area. That effort included local, state and federal agencies in addition to local volunteer groups.
The search was suspended temporarily for darkness, relaunching Wednesday morning with upwards of 100 people searching for Wilson. A spokesperson with state police commended local volunteers for their commitment and preparation to navigate a still-expanding search area.
“Today we’ve expanded all the way down to the Saranac River, to the other side of the river,” said Lt. Brian Dubay, with the state forest rangers, “We have a crew that searched the river via raft.”
Investigators are asking for public assistance in the search, requesting those nearby check home and trail cameras for possible sightings and report potentially information to state police.
“We continue to take any leads that we get through investigation and we’re running them down with a search crew,” Dubay said.
[Latest information on the search efforts from state police]
With search efforts continuing past a day in length, Dubay said he is holding out hope that Wilson will be found alive.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I’m always amazed at what the human body can endure,” he said. “So we’re still looking for a walking, talking Rita.”
Wilson is 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 128 pounds, according to a police report. She was last seen wearing a red jacket with the word “Cortland,” blue jeans and loafers.
Anyone with additional information on Wilson’s whereabouts is being asked to call state police at 518-873-2777.
