Search is ongoing for missing Ivins woman

The search for 41-year-old Ann Gilbreath will continue into its fourth day Monday as southern Utah agencies continue to comb the area around Red Mountain.

Gilbreath, who police believe has a history of mental illness, wandered away from her home Thursday and has not been seen since. Washington County Sheriff's Lt. Cory Pulsipher said Sunday that officials do not consider this case a recovery effort and will continue searching until more clues surface. Saturday night temperatures in the southern Utah hovered around 25 degrees.

"This will remain a search until we find something," Pulsipher said. "We're trying to remain hopeful, but with temperatures being what they've been, I don't know. We'll keep searching."

At about 11:30 Sunday morning canine teams locked on to a scent crews believed to be Gilbreath's, and they were able to follow it nearly four miles. Pulsipher described the terrain crews were combing as rugged, though hikers are common in the area.

Search efforts on Sunday included seven canine teams, three helicopters and 24 personnel personal hiking on the ground. The search is focused in the Red Mountain area near Ivins City where on Friday Gilbreath's jacket and scarf were found near a trail head.

Helicopters on Monday will fly canine teams to the location where the search ended so they don't waste time hiking in.

"We're hoping to come up with more clues and find some type of resolution," Pulsipher said. "Until then we're going to remain hopeful."

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.

— Clayton Norlen