### Woman Rescued After Four Days Lost in Maine Forest; Husband Found Deceased

In a harrowing incident in Washington County, Maine, authorities rescued a 72-year-old woman, Pamela Helmstadter, who had been missing for four days in the forest near her home. Tragically, her 82-year-old husband, John Helmstadter, was found dead not far from where she was located.

The couple set out on a walk with their dog on a Sunday morning, following the trails behind their home in Alexander. During the hike, John fell and was unable to get up. Lacking a cellphone, Pamela went to seek help but became lost in the dense forest. According to Sgt. Josh Beal of the Maine Warden Service, the couple decided that John would stay put while Pamela attempted to find assistance due to her being more physically capable.

Concern grew when a neighbor noticed an undisturbed package at the Helmstadter residence for several days and alerted the authorities. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife initiated a search for the missing couple early on Thursday.

A breakthrough came on Thursday afternoon when a game warden and his K-9 located Pamela, who was suffering from hypothermia. Remarkably, their loyal dog stayed by her side throughout the ordeal, even lying on top of her to keep her warm during the cold nights. Temperatures had dipped significantly, reaching as low as 27 to 28 degrees on Wednesday night, making her survival all the more astonishing.

Pamela was found less than 200 yards from where John’s body was discovered. Despite her weakened state, she remained alert and communicated with rescuers about the events that transpired. Authorities then swiftly transported her to a hospital for medical attention.

Pamela’s resilience and the dedication of the search teams underscore the perilous conditions one can face in the wilderness and the crucial role of timely intervention in such rescue operations.