Tracking Bracelet Leads Police To Missing 81-Year-Old In Shrewsbury

SHREWSBURY, MA — An 81-year-old woman reported missing Tuesday night was found in a wooded area early Wednesday after an extensive search involving local and state police.

The woman was located shortly after 12:50 a.m. Wednesday when a Massachusetts State Police helicopter detected a strong signal from her Project Lifesaver tracking bracelet, according to the Shrewsbury Police Department. She was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police received the missing-person report at about 7:11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. The search intensified after initial efforts were unsuccessful and temperatures dropped to near freezing, police said.

The search included 11 Shrewsbury police officers, the department’s drone unit, two Massachusetts State Police K-9 teams and officers from the State Police Specialized Emergency Response Team.

A State Police Air Wing helicopter arrived at about 12:15 a.m. After receiving the woman’s Project Lifesaver identification code from Shrewsbury police, the crew began searching for the signal from her bracelet.

The Air Wing reported receiving a strong signal from a wooded location at about 12:50 a.m. Officers found the woman a short time later, police said.

Shrewsbury police adopted Project Lifesaver in April after receiving grant funding for equipment and training. The program provides tracking bracelets to people considered at high risk of wandering or becoming lost.

Residents seeking information about enrolling a loved one may contact Lt. Michael Vitols of the Shrewsbury Police Department’s Special Services Division at (508) 841-1407.

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