An 80-year-old woman reported missing from her Bryrwood Drive residence Thursday night was found a few hours later with an assist from a helicopter from the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Grays Harbor County Undersheriff Brad Johansson said the call came in about 9:15 p.m. when family members reported they could not locate the woman, who suffers from dementia, at her home.

“The family members searched the residence and the immediate area and were unable to find her,” said Johansson, and deputies arrived and started to search. “Family members were concerned (the woman) could have wandered into the woods as she had recently made some comments in regards to the woods.”

Grays Harbor Emergency Management was contacted to add ground searchers, dog teams and a helicopter with thermal imaging, said Johansson. Grays Harbor Fire District 2 was requested and responded to assist in the search and provide medical attention if needed.

King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Guardian 1 was available and responded to the area. The helicopter searched a heavily wooded area near the female’s residence with its thermal-imaging device. At about 12:15 a.m. Friday, Guardian 1 located a heat signal south of the residence in the woods.

“Guardian 1 was then able to guide searchers to the heat source, where they located the missing 80-year old female,” said Johansson. “The female appeared to be in good health but was transported to the hospital to be checked further.”

“The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office wants to thank everyone involved in the search and in particular King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian 1 for their help locating the missing person,” said Johansson. “If she was not located so quickly this easily could have turned into a tragedy.”