Authorities in San Mateo County are continuing the search for a missing Redwood City woman with Alzheimer's. The search has ramped up with deputies asking residents to review any cameras they may have on their property.
Margaret “Elaine” McKinley, 79, went missing May 1 at the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, six miles west of Los Altos Hills, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. McKinley, who was with her longtime partner and caregiver Kit Durgin, was wearing a red jacket, black pants and a backpack, KGO-TV reported.
The two were hiking with a friend when Durgin, 81, and the friend lost sight of McKinley, Durgin told the local ABC-affiliated station, adding she is utilizing a psychic in her search.
The Bay Area Reporter reached out to KGO-TV to ask if the station had contact information for Durgin; the station’s assignment desk answered that they did not.
The search is in its sixth day as of May 6. Heather Enders of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office told the B.A.R. that, “Teams are focusing on areas where there may have been gaps in previous searches. Crews equipped with chainsaws are working to access locations with dense brush to ensure a comprehensive effort.”
“We remain hopeful for a rescue and are utilizing all available resources, including drones, six K-9 teams, and mounted search and rescue units,” Enders continued.
Through grid searches of the 1,400 acre preserve, approximately 150 specially trained search and rescue volunteers from across the region are aiding in the search starting last Saturday. With additional personnel, the search area has expanded to include areas west of the preserve.
Enders stated that agencies assisting in the search include the Woodside Fire Protection District, the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit (BAMRU), the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Rangers, San Mateo County Search and Rescue, the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA), and law enforcement from Nevada, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Butte, Merced, Marin, Tuolumne, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, Yolo, and Sacramento counties.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support and collaboration from our partner agencies,” Enders concluded. “Updates will be shared as new information becomes available.”
The office is asking all residents who live near the preserve to check their cameras day and night, starting May 1 at 10 a.m. Any sightings, or lack of sightings, on camera footage will aid in the search. They can be reported via an online form.
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