Shameca Lewis Johnson, a Placentia woman who had been missing for more than a week was found Friday morning in Angeles National Forest, according to KTLA.
Johnson was found at the Switzer Falls campground at the Angeles National Forest, according to CBS.
Visitors to the forest reported to officials Thursday that a woman matching Johnson’s description had been seen there and sheriff’s officials began searching with helicopters, dogs and cars, according to the OC Register.
A Countywide Search and Rescue request, along with Aero, search/scent dogs, Forestry and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team along with support personnel were requested. A few hours after the search started (at approximately 10:45 AM) the woman found turned out to be the missing female from Placentia. She was found in good physical condition and was re-united with her family who were at the Command Post, according to the L.A. County Sheriff.
The only question remaining is how the woman nicknamed “Meca” managed to survive since Aug. 20. That’s the day she went missing and a cab driver recalled giving her a ride to Angeles National Forest, according to Placentia Police Detective Corinne Loomis as reported by the OC Weekly.
The detective explained that the cabbie called Fullerton police late Thursday or early today saying he saw media reports about Johnson and recalled giving her the ride. Coupled with the sightings forest visitors reported to investigators, that helped search-and-rescue teams narrow their search, Loomis reportedly said.
Friends had set up a Facebook page to try and find her. The last post, made Friday afternoon, said: “Meca has now arrived to Verdugo Hills Hospital in La Canada. She is under evaluation and under the care of her parents and loved ones.”