1-Week MISSING: Sunken Car, Woman Found ALIVE After Water Search!
Missing for a Week, Found Alive: North Carolina Woman Located After Underwater Search Brings Relief
TAR HEEL, N.C. — After nearly a week of uncertainty and growing fear, a 71-year-old North Carolina woman reported missing was found alive, bringing a wave of relief to her family, searchers, and an anxious local community.
Sharon Elkins, who had been missing since the previous Friday, was the subject of a Silver Alert issued by the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said Elkins left her home without her phone, and her vehicle — a burgundy 2018 Hyundai Elantra — could not initially be located, raising serious concerns about her safety.
As days passed with no confirmed sightings, attention turned to the waterways near Tar Heel, a rural area bordered by the Cape Fear River. The geography of the region, combined with the circumstances of Elkins’ disappearance, made the river a focal point for search efforts.
A River That Could Not Be Ignored
The Tar Heel Boat Ramp quickly emerged as a critical location. The roadway leading to the ramp runs straight toward the water, a layout that has been linked in previous cases to vehicles unintentionally driving into rivers.
“In situations involving older adults, especially those possibly dealing with memory issues, it’s not uncommon for them to keep driving straight,” said one volunteer familiar with similar searches. “They don’t always recognize danger until it’s too late.”
Because of that possibility, an independent water-search team specializing in sonar and underwater drone technology traveled to the area to assist. The group, known for helping resolve missing-person cases across the country, aimed to either locate Elkins or rule out the river as the source of the mystery.
“Our goal is always answers,” said one of the searchers. “Even if the answer is that someone is not in the water, that still matters to a family.”
Mechanical Trouble and Cold Conditions
The search did not begin smoothly. The team’s primary sonar boat experienced mechanical failure at the launch site, forcing the group to improvise. Rather than abandon the effort, they deployed a small inflatable boat, despite cold temperatures and less-than-ideal conditions.
“Walking away wasn’t an option,” one team member said. “This was a fresh case, and time matters.”
Using sonar, the team scanned the riverbed near the boat ramp, beneath a nearby bridge, and along likely paths a vehicle could have taken if it entered the water.
A Sunken Vehicle Raises Alarm
During the scan, sonar imagery revealed a vehicle-shaped object resting on the river bottom. The discovery immediately heightened tension.
“That moment is always heavy,” one searcher explained. “You don’t want to be right — you want to be wrong.”
To identify the object, the team deployed an underwater drone. Visibility was limited, but the drone confirmed that the vehicle was upside down and partially buried in sediment. At first glance, the car appeared relatively modern, intensifying fears that it could be Elkins’ missing Hyundai.
Closer inspection told a different story.
The wheels, body shape, and visible details indicated the vehicle had been submerged for far longer than a week. The rims were identified as belonging to a Dodge Challenger, likely from between 2017 and 2023. Evidence suggested the car may have been stolen and possibly partially recovered at some point, as parts appeared damaged or missing.
“This wasn’t the vehicle we were looking for,” the team confirmed. “And that, in this case, was good news.”
The finding was documented and reported to authorities for follow-up investigation, but the search for Sharon Elkins continued.
The News Everyone Was Hoping For
Shortly after the team concluded their river search and began packing up equipment, word spread through social media and family updates: Sharon Elkins had been found alive.
According to reports shared with the search team, Elkins was located safely and transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. Officials did not immediately release details about where she was found or her condition, but confirmed she was alive and receiving care.
The announcement marked a dramatic and emotional shift after days of grim uncertainty.
“That’s the outcome you pray for,” said one of the searchers. “In this line of work, those endings are rare, and we never take them for granted.”
Family and Community React with Relief
Family members expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the search, including law enforcement, volunteers, and water-search specialists who worked to eliminate possibilities and narrow the focus of efforts.
“Not knowing is the hardest part,” said a family friend. “Every hour feels longer than the last. Knowing she’s alive — that changes everything.”
Local residents also reacted with relief. Many had followed the case closely, sharing posts online and keeping watch for any sign of Elkins or her vehicle.
Why Early Searches Matter
Experts say Elkins’ case underscores the importance of rapid, multi-directional search efforts in missing-person cases, particularly those involving seniors.
“In the early days, you have the best chance of a positive outcome,” one searcher explained. “That’s when people are most likely to be found alive.”
Even when searches do not directly lead to the missing person, they play a crucial role by ruling out dangerous scenarios and allowing investigators and families to focus elsewhere.
“Clearing a river means peace of mind,” the searcher said. “It lets everyone redirect resources instead of wondering.”
A Rare Ending That Brings Hope
While many missing-person cases tragically end in loss, Sharon Elkins’ story concludes with hope — a reminder that persistence, community involvement, and quick action can make a life-saving difference.
As Elkins recovers, her case stands as a rare but powerful example of how coordinated efforts and determination can lead to the best possible outcome.
“For once,” one searcher said quietly, “we’re happy to pack up and head home knowing we didn’t find what we feared.”
