Amish woman missing from St. Ignatius

Lake County Sheriff Jay Doyle said a search is under way for Naomi Ruth Engbretson, a member of the Amish community in the Mission Valley area. It began on Monday morning when she was first reported missing.

She was described as 30 years old, Caucasian, 5 foot 6 inches tall and 113 pounds with shoulder-length red hair. According to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office press release, Engbretson was last seen at 7 p.m. Sunday wearing a dark-colored dress, gray sweat pants, a dark blue or black coat and a scarf.

Doyle told the Lake County Leader that she apparently went for a walk. She left a note saying she was fine but not to look for her.

He said no one had any indication that she intended to harm herself although she may have been suffering from depression. He said canines and helicopters with thermal imaging were used in the search of land as well as canals and waterways.

Orchestrated from a command center at the Mission Airport, the search focused on a 4-mile radius around Engbretson’s residence on Allison Road in St. Ignatius. All structures in the area were checked.

About 60 people are participating in the effort that includes using dog teams and horses along with the canines and aircraft.

In addition to the sheriff’s department, search manpower includes Lake County Search and Rescue members, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Law and Order officers, tribal fish and game and tribal fire officers, ALERT and members of the Amish community.

Flathead County Sheriff’s dispatch was alerted about the missing woman at 11:27 a.m. Monday. Deputies assisted by checking with officials at the train depot after receiving information that she may have gone to Iowa.

No tickets were found purchased by Engbretson and no one fitting her description was seen at the depot.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 406-883-7301.