Reno, NV…The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office reports that an 83-year-old woman who had been the subject of a multi-day search in west Reno was found safe this morning and returned to her family.

Helen “Elaine” Haines was located on the north side of the Truckee River just west of McCarran about 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Haines was found by members of her church group who had volunteered to assist the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit with the search.

More than 300 members of Reno’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints reinforced the efforts of 30-40 Search and Rescue volunteers in the search for Haines which began on Friday afternoon after she was reported missing in the area of Mayberry River Park west of Reno.

Volunteers searched from the area of the park, along the Truckee River and into downtown Reno. The Sheriff’s RAVEN Helicopter provided aerial surveillance of the search area.

Washoe County Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek said he was extremely pleased that Mrs. Haines was found safe and wanted to thank all those who took part in this successful search effort.

“Mrs. Haines is with her family again thanks to the enthusiastic response of a concerned community, including days of hard work contributed by a highly organized group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,” Undersheriff Kuzanek said. “We want to make sure that everyone who took part in this search knows how much we appreciate their willingness to devote so much time and energy for the sake of another.”

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.