Alaska State Troopers have called-off the search for a 69-year-old woman whose vehicle was found last week in a remote area near Healy with a child inside.
The search for Mary Dawn Wilson had been going on since early Thursday morning, when Troopers got a report that her car had been found stuck in a spot about seven miles in on the Stampede Trail, near Denali National Park and Preserve. Troopers say rescuers found a 2-year-old child locked in the vehicle. The child appeared to be good health, and was handed over to the Office of Children’s Services.
Later Thursday, searchers found some personal items believed to belong to Wilson about a mile farther down the Stampede Trail, away from the Parks Highway. But since then, despite three days of aerial and ground searches by law enforcement officers, park rangers, military personnel and volunteers, they’ve been unable to locate her.
Troopers say they have no evidence of foul play related to Wilson’s disappearance. Wilson was last seen July 12, and had spent the night with friends. She had been taking care of the child for a few days. AST said in a dispatch issued Saturday that they’re discontinuing the search but will continue investigating the case, and may resume searching if they get new clues or evidence.
Village Public Safety Officers, members of Solstice Search Dogs, Mat-Su Search & Rescue, Alaska Wilderness Search & Rescue, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, AST Helo 2, and volunteers searched the surrounding area.
Troopers are urging anyone with information about the case, or anyone who’s seen Wilson over the past few days, to call them at 9-0-7-4-5-1-5-1-0-0 ((907) 451-5100). Or submit a tip anonymously through the A-K-Tips (AKtips) smartphone app or online at dps.alaska.gov/tips.