Drone Search Helps Wisconsin Rapids Police Department Locate Missing Woman

Monday, March 17th, 2025 -- 2:01 PM

(Sloane Wick, WSAW) A drone search helped Wisconsin Rapids police officers locate a missing 59-year-old woman around 8:00 on Friday night, according to Sloane Wick with WSAW.

According to the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, officers received a report about the woman, who had left her home without her phone. Police said she has medical conditions that affect her ability to care for herself.

Officers searched a wooded area near where she was last seen but were unable to find her through ground searches. The department then brought in a drone to aid in the search.

They found the woman using the drone and were able to get to her within a minute of seeing her on the drone footage. She had been outside for about three hours.

Police said she was unable to stand on her own. Rescuers brought her to safety within an hour of when storms would later move through the area. The Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department took her to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The Grand Rapids Fire Department and Wings of Hope Search and Rescue helped in the rescue.

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