The search for 79-year-old Margaret “Elaine” McKinley, who went missing during a hike in the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, continues into its second day. McKinley, a Redwood City resident who has dementia, was last seen yesterday, wearing a red jacket and black pants. She was reported missing at around 2 PM after becoming separated from her family on the Lost Trail, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
Since the initial alert, more than 40 search and rescue personnel have combed the area last night and this morning. With the aid of the Mutual Aid Request, the numbers have swelled; an additional 70 searchers from neighboring counties, including Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, have lent their expertise to the operation. The coordinated effort now boasts over 100 trained volunteers and professionals.
Various resources have been deployed in the search for McKinley. These indispensable assets include the Sheriff’s Office airplane, multiple drones, K-9 units with a newly acquired tracking and trailing Bloodhound, mounted searchers on horses, and others on bicycles. Sheriff Christina Corpus expressed optimism despite the pressing circumstances, stating, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, “We remain very hopeful that we will locate Elaine so she can be reunited with her loved ones.” She also acknowledged the volunteers' invaluable contributions to the search efforts.
