A missing 40-year-old Oakville woman who reportedly had said she wanted to harm herself was found safe in Byrnes Mill. She was found July 3 sitting on a grassy area along Byrnes Mill Road near Hwy. PP, Byrnes Mill Police reported.
The woman had been in the Big River and was covered in mud, but she was unharmed, Byrnes Mill Police Chief Frank T. Selvaggio said
At about 9:30 p.m. July 2, a police officer found the woman's car parked near the Big River access in Byrnes Mill City Park, 3673 Lower Byrnes Mill Road. Police checked on the license plate and discovered that St. Louis County Police had reported the woman missing and possibly suicidal, Selvaggio said.
He said Byrnes Mill officers and High Ridge Fire Protection District crews searched for the woman until about 11:15 p.m. During the search, High Ridge Fire used its drone and did not find any sign of her.
"The river was high, and it was moving very fast,” Selvaggio said. "We checked the riverbank as best we could, but it was very dark."
Selvaggio said the plan was to restart the search at 8 a.m. on July 3, but at about 5:45 a.m. that morning, the woman, who was sitting along the road, waved down an officer's car.
The woman reportedly told officers she had gotten into the river on her paddle board and intended to harm herself but changed her mind. She said she got out of the river but was lost and spent the night in the woods.
Selvaggio said she had some scratches and bug bites but no serious injuries. However, she was transported by North Jefferson County Ambulance District to Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, resources are available to help.
Behavioral Health Response has a crisis line at 1-800-811-4760. Or you can reach out to Comtrea 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-877-COMTREA.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255.
A crisis text line is available by texting HOME to 741741.
Resources also are available at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.