Bend, OR – A 76-year-old woman from Bend, who went missing last week, has been found alive after four days of intensive searching in the remote wilderness of Lane County. Cheryl Leigh Guajardo was discovered near Lookout Point Lake on Saturday, December 7, 2024, bringing an end to a desperate search that involved local, state, and federal agencies.

Guajardo was last seen driving in the Lowell area on December 3. Family members reported her missing the following day, sparking a coordinated search effort that included 11 law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, and volunteers from the community. The search covered rugged terrain and challenging conditions, as the area surrounding Lookout Point Lake is known for its remote and difficult-to-reach locations.

According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, the search teams utilized helicopters, K9 units, and ground crews to comb through the dense forest and hilly landscape. Volunteers from the community also joined the effort, providing valuable assistance in the search for Guajardo.

Authorities expressed their gratitude to the many residents, as well as to Guajardo’s family and friends, for their support throughout the search. The Sheriff’s Office did not provide any further details regarding the circumstances of Guajardo’s disappearance or her condition when she was found.

The discovery of Guajardo marks a welcome and positive outcome to what had been a tense and exhausting search operation. Her safe return has been met with relief by the local community, who rallied together in hopes of bringing her home.

No further information has been released as of now, but authorities have indicated they will provide updates as more details become available.