Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office say they believe 79-year-old Shirley Haith suffered a medical emergency and died not long after she left home last week. Haith was first reported missing on Friday and was found deceased on Thursday.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies initially searched for Haith on roadways around her home but were unable to find her. They then expanded the boundaries of the search to include ponds, intersections and ditches. During one of these searches, the sheriff’s office says, a deputy located Haith’s Ford Contour car in a heavily vegetated area on an unmaintained former gravel road. The deputy found her body a short distance away.

Investigators say they believe Haith became disoriented, drove down the road and tried to turn around. When her car became stuck, she got out, walked a few yards and collapsed to the ground.

“We continue to offer our condolences and support to Mrs. Haith’s family and friends,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “It comforts us to know that no foul play was involved in her death. I deeply appreciate the assistance [Orange County Emergency Services] Director [Kirby] Saunders provided. Obviously, we hoped for a different outcome but I could not be prouder of the hard work and tenacious efforts of my team.”

 

Featured image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office

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