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Toronto police release details on rescue of missing 71-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease

Toronto police have shared details of a rescue mission after a woman with Alzheimer's disease went missing and was found by officers suffering from hypothermia near a ravine.

Authorities have uploaded a video describing the search for Betty, 71, who was reported missing from her home during a 911 call by her husband in mid-December.

Members of the 43rd Division said Betty was not dressed for the weather.

“I called my wife, but there was no answer. “I looked everywhere, but I couldn't see her…I was so worried I'd lost her, the only thing I could do was call 911,” said her husband, Percy.

A search of the area by the responding officers failed to locate Betty.

Const. Mike Ramsay said that due to the missing woman's Alzheimer's diagnosis and the weather conditions – it was -1 C when she went missing – a drone and search pattern were quickly established.

“There are several green spaces near where the woman was last seen that are difficult for searchers to check.” Const. Ramsey noted. “This is a typical space to be inspected by the service's drone.”

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“When I turned on the last grid line along Ellesmere Road, a thermal signature appeared on the screen,” said Const. Ramsey.

“When I flew the drone and turned on the flashlight, the bush was heavy, but I could see it. It looked human. A human face can be seen through the trees. That's when I knew we had Betty.”

Husband thanks TPS for quick response to find missing woman

Const. Ramsay said the 71-year-old had been in the situation for about seven and a half hours when Betty was reported missing just before midnight.

“They saw him on the ground, frozen and shivering. Possible hypothermia occurred,” said Const. Ramsey added.

The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being reunited with her family.

“I couldn't thank the Toronto Police enough because they were so efficient, so professional and so knowledgeable about all the tools, the aerial technology – I really appreciate it,” Percy said.

Percy (left) has been reunited with his wife Betty, who was found by Toronto police after she disappeared from their home in mid-December. Photo: Toronto Police.

Toronto police say officers investigate about 4,300 missing persons each year.

“This search could have been conducted over several days using ground personnel and we may have been dealing with a fatality,” said Const. said Ramsay.

“The bush that was found was heavy and it was not in the immediate search area, but on the coast. The drone was invaluable, especially with its thermal imaging technology.

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