Search continues for missing southern Utah woman

IVINS, Washington County — Multiple agencies began a third day of search efforts Sunday for a 41-year-old woman who wandered away from home Thursday.

Washington County Sheriff Sgt. Jeff Bailey said Sunday that three dog teams, three helicopters and 25 personnel are combing an area on and around Red Mountain near Ivins where they believe the woman disappeared. Washington County sheriff's deputies, search and rescue members and search teams from the Iron County Sheriff's department as well as Ivins City Police are taking part in the effort.

Ann Gilbreath, who police believe has a history of mental illness, walked out of her parents' Ivins home — minutes outside St. George — and up Red Mountain, said Bailey.

The sheriff's office was contacted Friday morning by Gilbreath's family when she hadn't returned.

Search and Rescue crews spent Friday looking for her with a helicopter and ground teams but lost her footprints in the rocky area of the mountain, Bailey said.

A helicopter search on Saturday was cut short because of wind but ground teams searched until dark for the woman.

Gilbreath doesn't have credit cards with her and her cell phone just goes straight to voice mail, Bailey said. Officers found her jacket and scarf on the mountain yesterday and are not sure what provisions she has with her.

Gilbreath is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, 130 pounds with short blond hair. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 435-634-5000.

— Sara Israelsen-Hartley