The official ground search for a missing 79-year-old in Grand Bay-Westfield has been suspended.
Ruth Carol Sutton, who also goes by Carol, was last seen walking along Mallard Drive on Sunday morning.
Police said Sutton suffers from a medical condition which may cause her to become disoriented.
In the days since her disappearance, searches have taken place on land, in the water and from the air.
Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Brittany Merrifield confirmed the suspension of the official ground search in a social media post late Tuesday.
“While this part of the operation is on hold, I want to reassure everyone that search teams are ready to redeploy if new evidence comes to light,” Merrifield wrote.
“Community volunteers are still welcome to continue their efforts. I understand that some are planning to head out in boats [Wednesday], and I deeply respect and appreciate the continued determination to help.
Merrifield said volunteers will be focusing the search on the water and shoreline, specifically on the Nerepis side of the bridge.
The mayor also extended her appreciation to everyone who has been involved, from search and rescue professionals to the community as a whole.
“I’m so proud of but definitely not surprised at how our community has come together during this time. The support, generosity, and strength shown over the past days is a true reflection of who we are,” she said.
RCMP said that despite the ground search and rescue being suspended, an increased police and first responder presence is still expected in and around the area.
Police continue to encourage residents in the area to search their properties, outbuildings and vehicles, and to report any signs of Sutton or her clothing.
She was last seen wearing a tan-colored Tilley-style hat, a light blue jacket, ankle-length rubber boots, and white socks.
They are also still looking for any surveillance video from the areas of Mallard Drive, Teal Street and Nerepis Road.
“We’ve had multiple search teams from across the province assisting, along with police dogs, drones, and a helicopter that was deployed for an extended time,” RCMP Cpl. Jullie Rogers-Marsh told our newsroom on Tuesday.
If you are helping with the search, officials ask that you not approach or disturb anything you find and report it immediately to the Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP at 506-757-1020.
With files from Alex Allan.
