FAIRHAVEN, MASS. (WHDH) - A missing Fairhaven woman was found alive Tuesday after a major search that started on Monday, police announced.
Anapaula Huggins emerged from a wooded area near the hurricane barrier that extends into New Bedford Harbor Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Officials launched their search after Huggins, 43, was last seen Monday morning on video surveillance in the area of Pope Beach on Manhattan Avenue around 7:30 a.m. She was later reported missing around 11:30 a.m., according to police.
Police said family members told them Huggins left her residence on Raymond Street Monday morning with her dog.
Fairhaven Animal Control officials found the dog around 9:30 a.m. But there was no sign of Huggins, police said.
Crews combed through the area on Monday and Tuesday both on the ground and in the air using drones.
State and local police joined the Coast Guard in the search, examining an area near the hurricane barrier.
Police said Huggins was taken to the hospital for evaluation, though they said she wasn’t suffering from any apparent injuries.
Speaking at a press conference, Fairhaven Police Lieutenant Kevin Kobza said this was “the best possible outcome we could hope for.”
Police said they are still investigating the circumstances of Huggins’ disappearance.
In the meantime, Kobza thanked community members and fellow first responders who aided in efforts to find Huggins.
“The outpouring was incredible,” Kobza said.
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