Missing Person Found Safely In Berrien Township

• Person Making Release: Lieutenant Ryan Sullivan
• Date and Time of Incident: 10/11/2026 at approximately 8:29 PM
• Type of Incident: Missing Person
• Location of Incident: 5800 block of Hillview Dr, Berrien Township, Berrien County, MI
• Agencies Involved: Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. See Below for additional agencies.

Narrative:
On 10-11-26 at approximately 8:29 PM, Deputies with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 5800 block of Hillview Dr. in Berrien Township, Berrien County, Michigan for a missing person complaint. The missing person was identified as a local 71-year-old female resident. She was last seen on 10-11-26 at approximately 4:30 PM after leaving to go on a walk. The female was seen by residents leaving the neighborhood on foot, walking southbound on Old US-31 towards Rangeline Rd.

After an overnight search was unsuccessful, a search party was formed in the early morning hours of 10-12-26. After missing for approximately 16 hours, the missing female was found alive in a wooded area, near her neighborhood, around 8:50 AM. The female was evaluated on scene by Medic 1 Ambulance personnel. She was in good spirits and was reunited with her family.

The overnight and early morning search included resources from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol, Detective Bureau, Mounted Division, K9 Unit and Drone Unit; as well as assistance from Eau Claire Fire Department, Eau Claire Police Department, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office (Bloodhound K9 Unit).

Sheriff Heit would like to thank all the agencies and personnel who assisted with locating the missing female and making this a successful operation.

Do you have a family member who has a history of wandering or a medical diagnosis that puts them at risk of wandering? The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office has resources that can help families encountering such issues with their loved ones. For more information on the Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver program, or to speak to a deputy about home safety surveys, please visit our website at berriencounty.org/495/Project-Lifesaver or contact Crime Prevention Deputy Kelly Laesch at (269)983-7141 x7221 or klaesch@berriencounty.org