The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for any information regarding the disappearance of Margit Prichard, a 76-year-old woman from Piercy. Prichard was last seen at her residence in the 1300 block of Pepperwood Springs Road in Piercy around 1 p.m. on Friday, according to the MCSO.
Around 4:30 p.m., her husband discovered her missing and searched their property and local roads before calling MCSO for assistance.
The Sheriff’s Office received a call on May 18 at around 7:20 p.m. to report her missing.
The MCSO says that the family had noticed Prichard has been experiencing dementia-related issues. Prichard was last seen wearing blue capri-style pants and a purple T-shirt. She did not take her phone or purse with her when she left.
Prichard is fit and can walk long distances with ease, having disappeared from her home three months prior and traveling seven miles on foot. Mendocino County sheriff’s deputies searched the area Friday night with a bloodhound, and the Mendocino County Search and Rescue team searched the area on Saturday during daylight but did not find Prichard.
The search continued on Sunday with 70 searchers and again on Monday. The MCSO learned Prichard might try to go to the East Bay Area where she used to live, specifically Bethel Island.
The following agencies have assisted in this search: Humboldt Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt County SAR, California Highway Patrol (Patrol and Helicopter), Cal Fire, Piercy Fire, Leggett Valley Fire, Marin County SAR, California Explorer Search and Rescue, Lake County SAR, Napa County SAR, San Mateo County SAR, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, California State Parks, Sonoma County SAR, California Rescue Dog Association, California National Guard, California Office of Emergency Services Law Division and Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue Unit.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office asks for the cooperation of residents and assures those in the Piercy area that all efforts in that area are being conducted by search and rescue personnel and are in no way associated with marijuana eradication.
A Silver Alert has been issued in the north state. Anyone who has seen Prichard or might have information as to her location is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at 707-463-4086.
