GRANGEVILLE, Idaho – The search by law enforcement for a 76-year-old woman missing for three weeks in Idaho could resume after a dog that was with her wandered out of the woods, authorities said.
The border collie named Ace belonging to Connie Johnson appeared Wednesday at a camp near Moose Creek Ranger Station, where private searchers had gathered, Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings said.
"There's a possibility that if we would take the dog back in there, he might lead us to where she was," Giddings said. "We believe she's in there; we just don't know where."
The Lewiston Tribune said the search for Johnson and Ace started Oct. 5 and was ended by law enforcement officials on Oct. 16 with no sign of the pair.
Government aircraft and teams with tracking dogs took part in the search. Some private searches continued.
Johnson, a Nezperce resident, was working as a cook at a hunting camp accessible only by horseback in the Fog Mountain area. Ace emerged from the woods about 15 miles from the hunting camp.
Hunters left the camp Oct. 2 and Johnson was gone when they returned three days later.
Giddings says the hunters had radio contact with Johnson on Oct. 3 but couldn't understand what she was saying.
Giddings says foul play is unlikely.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
