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Courtesy photo / NSBPD
Mary Doretich Mitchell, 76, missing since leaving her Bouchelle Island home Friday in her car and the subject of a missing person's report and silver alert, has been found alive under unusual circumstances.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Missing for nearly four days, 76-year-old Mary Doretich Mitchell of Bouchelle Island was found alive Tuesday afternoon, in of all places, the trunk of her car in the parking lot of Bert Fish Medical Center, New Smyrna Beach police confirmed.
Police Detective Michael Covey was the first to spot the car at 4:40 p.m. and then he and other police and firefighters and firefighters searched the area, before actually finding her in the trunk of her car parked in the southwestern corner of Bert Fish Medical Center, treating her at the scene before admitting her into the hospital for further treatment.
She had been missing since 5:30 p.m. Friday when she left her Bouchelle Island home without telling anyone where she was headed. A subsequent motorist silver alert was issued for her 2005 Dodge Neon bearing Florida tag# E204VR. A missing person's computer bulletin was also issued by police to other agencies.
Police didn't indicate why she was in the trunk except to say she was in an "altered state of mind." The trunk had an emergency lever inside and Mitchell's key fob had a button to open the lid..
Her Dodge Neon as initially spotted in the parking lot, it's doors locked, minus any signs of her, her keys or her purse. So police did a search of the immediate area, including checking inside the hospital. That led them to the trunk where she was found inside, along with her keys and purse.
Here is a synopsis of what happened as reported by Investigative Lt Donna Lavallee: "Members of the New Smyrna Beach Investigative Division searched the area and checked to see if Ms. Mitchell had been possibly admitted into the hospital or at one of the nearby doctor’s offices.
"Subsequent investigation revealed Ms. Mitchell inside the trunk compartment of the vehicle with her purse, money and keys. Evac and NSB Fire Rescue responded and transported Ms. Mitchell to Bert Fish for treatment.
Mitchell’s vehicle was towed to the police compound for safe keeping.
No foul play is suspected at this time., Lavallee added.