Missing Ann Arbor woman found in yard near Eberwhite Woods
Jill Fine, the 39-year-old Ann Arbor woman who went missing Thursday evening, was found around 5:30 p.m. Friday not far from her last known whereabouts, police said.
"She is alive and being transported to the hospital," said Ann Arbor police Det. William Stanford. "She was disoriented and confused."
Other than a scratch on her arm, Fine appeared to be in otherwise good physical health.
Fine was found in a wooded area between two backyards not more than a half mile from her home on Dartmoor, where she lives with her husband, Jonathan. Fine went out to walk the dog around 9:30 p.m. Thursday in the neighborhood and never returned, Jonathan said.
He found the beagle the next morning in the backyard of a neighbor's house.
"I'm happy we found her alive," said Stanford. "I'm happy she's getting medical care."
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Reason
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:15 p.m.
Thank you J, for the updates--your comments have been both touching and reassuring. I am so glad this ended as it did.
hmsp
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 3:09 a.m.
Not knowing whether or not she had run away, and might be hiding, or not — the stories I was hearing were vague — I suggested a few hidden spots to the cops I met, like that 15-foot diameter dug-out bowl, up on a rise, surrounded by a foot-tall palisade of sticks, that the kids have created. Since the cops didn't seem to want to stray from the main paths, I checked it out myself, along with a few of the other hideys I know of in there. No luck on my search, but it was a bit harder for me, wearing flip-flops, than it would have been for the cops... I'm careful where I step, and know what poison ivy looks like, but I hope the lady got a good scrub-down at the hospital — even I thought it best to give my legs a quick rinse after doing that bushwhacking, and she will almost certainly be itching like crazy if they didn't think to do that after they found her.
Domey
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
J said: "When she did stir, the only words worth telling her was how much I love her, how much I missed her, and how grateful I am that she's safe. When I left her this morning to try and get some sleep, she smiled and told me she loves me too, and that's all that was important to me." As I sit here with a big grin and tears running down my cheeks, I can tell you that "tears of joy" taste just a salty as other tears. That quote makes my heart warm. I'm so happy that this ended well and I wish "J" and Jill all the best. May you always be in love with one another.
a2citizen
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 4:03 p.m.
I suppose we should have police officers establish twitter accounts so they can give us minute by minute updates during investigations. This need for instantaneous information before it has been verified has become comical. Kept in perspective, a few years back we would have been reading this story in tomorrows paper. The captivating part of this event was J's updates in the original story. You could tell by his posts that he was worried and scared. The interaction between him and anonymous members of the community offering support was pretty cool. btw J, glad for you.
ribs1
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 3:49 p.m.
I am very glad about the positive outcome. I also don't understand why a canine unit wasn't used. A bloodhound or possibly a standard police german shepherd should have been able to find her within an hour or so. This is just speculation on my part as I am no tracking expert but it would be nice to have some clarification.
J
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
I do want to thank everyone involved in her search, including the numerous volunteers who gave up their time to scour the neighborhood and woods. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to thank the groups I came across in the woods, but I wish I could personally thank each and everyone. I've also been overwhelmed by all the support I received from neighbors, including Ann who took Bailey from me last night and kept her at their house, so I could be with Jill all night. Thank you to everyone who kept an eye out for Jill on their runs, who offered their prayers for her, who gave me words of encouragement through this. There has been a genuine warmth radiating across our neighborhood, and I am so grateful to everyone for their support.
Linda Peck
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
J, thank you so much for all of your sharing about this and how your wife is doing. You are a generous soul. I am sure things will be all sorted out soon and you will both be home and safe. Wonderful best wishes for you and your wife and your beagle.
J
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
I was at the ER all last night and most of this morning, so I haven't been able to comment... ...and in all honesty, and in defense of the news article, there really isn't that much more details! I happened by when they found Jill (fittingly, while walking Bailey with neighbors), and Jill *was* disoriented when they found her. Our immediate concern was her health, and she was rushed to the hospital for observation. She was thoroughly exhausted and slept, other than when being attended to be staff; so I don't know what happened either, nor did I want to wake her to ask. She was given an IV because she was very dehydrated and, as mentioned in my comments in the previous article, had suffered from nausea that week and hadn't been able to keep down much food. I can add a few details to the story: She was barefoot and had scratches on her legs, as if walking through brush. (Later, when she's feeling 100% again, I will give her cr-- about losing my flip-flops ;) She is medically stable now -- vitals are fine -- and, as I said, she slept. When she did stir, the only words worth telling her was how much I love her, how much I missed her, and how grateful I am that she's safe. When I left her this morning to try and get some sleep, she smiled and told me she loves me too, and that's all that was important to me. I hadn't slept in the last 48+ hours and want to crawl back into bed now; so you can imagine how tired she is because she hadn't slept as much in the past *week* because of her insomnia.
Dr. Fate
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:54 a.m.
Thanks for the update. Perhaps she passed out from heat exhaustion. I seem to recall you mentioning she had been exerting herself earlier that day maybe? So glad it's all good news though!
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
We can't speculate on A2.com forums, but then they insist on publishing stories which puzzle people as to the cause of the unusual event - without giving the cause. I guess A2.com wants to establish a news paradigm wherein readers become conditioned to respond only in the ways A2.com finds acceptable. I think, so long as this remains policy, AnnArbor.com should streamline this kind of news event by only publishing a "standardized headline" like: "Something unusual but unexplained happened" -- followed by an article describing only the unusual event and vague statements by authorities about the happy/sad outcome. You could even color code the article: one color for happy outcomes and another for sad outcomes. Readers could be given "radio buttons" to indicate whether they felt sympathy or had no comment after reading about the unexplained event. I myself am feeling sympathetic after reading this article. Next!
shepard145
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 3:20 a.m.
I can't believe I agree with Tru and her Betsy Ross avatar. ..even a bit of humor!? Yea, Kyle - well if you don't interview any more then one person and even then don't ask any useful questions, I guess we get what you get - not much.
Kyle Mattson
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
Tru- We published the story as soon as possible as it gave notice to the community to aid in the search for her. We're relived just as everyone else is that Jill was found and is recovering as noted by her husband. In a situations such as this we only publish information provided directly from the police and update as additional details are released.
david st. crystal
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Well said. It'd almost be worth creating an extremely bare bones message board that just links to A2 news, except in the comments section people could say what they wanted.
MRunner73
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
It is a big relief to all who knows her and especially her family. She did spend the night outdoors, presumeably, and then much of the day in the warm and dry weather conditions. Very glad to know she has been unharmed and hope the she will be able to tell of her ordeal.
shepard145
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
These pieces suggest you should care that she is missing but when found, the reason for her wandering in the woods is none of your business. I'm the PC model! I don't care that she was missing and now don't care why she was missing - I only want to know how much of my tax dollars were wasted finding her - everybody happy!!? "political correctness" at work - what joy leftists bring to the world....
shepard145
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 3:16 a.m.
So that's two people who don't get sarcasm! LOL Quite the opposite – The personal relationships many people felt for their community has been all but killed off by the politically correct left's hysteria over the illusion of privacy. Once codified with "government regulation", this virus has also spread to the work place and even to relationships between family members. Articles like this are more a reflection of that hysteria then lazy reporting. …that is reporters not asking the kind of questions that result it information readers are interested in. …although there is certainly some of that.
Lola
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
"Because you think spending your tax dollars helping people in need is a "waste"." Sounds like the GOP's motto. I'm very happy she was found! I don't even know this woman but felt a huge relief when I heard the good news.
Ron Granger
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
"I only want to know how much of my tax dollars were wasted finding her" Because you think spending your tax dollars helping people in need is a "waste". Got it.
Ron Granger
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
For those who insist it is their business to know more details, I suggest you turn on your television. You are a mere click away from jerry springer-like shows that profit by satisfying whatever details you are craving from the human condition.
jns131
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.
Just goes to show that you cannot go missing without someone wondering where you disappeared to. Glad to hear she was found.
Liberty Soule
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
I'm glad that Jill was found and is safe. However, please follow up and tell the whole story. Especially, after all that has happened in the Eberwhite woods in past years. Initally, the story was presented as if there was another predator loose in the area. Which now doesn't seem to be the case.
Doug
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.
Did anyone think that the news that was reported was all that was given out!
GoNavy
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 11:30 a.m.
Ah good deal. Was hoping to read some good news on this story this morning.
brian
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 4:41 a.m.
Just one question, why didn't the police call in a canine unit?
Doug Post
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 3:37 a.m.
Glad she was found safe. Hopefully they will take the dog for a walk together in the future.
MorningGlory
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:53 a.m.
So glad this story had a happy ending. Lack of sleep and dehydration can do crazy things to your mind and body.
KINGofSKA
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
It's great that she was found so quickly. Hopefully the scratch is the only problem she has. But I always thought that you couldn't report a missing person until 48 hours later. Can anyone help me out on this one?
AfterDark
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
Stop watching so much television.
Ann English
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
If a news story like this had been written back in the late 1980s, it wouldn't be as scary or have, consequently, as happy an ending. Back then, Dartmoor could take you to Ivywood, which could take you to Ivydale, which could not take you to any other street. I was glad when another street was added to connect Ivydale to another off Pauline, but this addition could also make it easier for someone to wander farther away from home. Scarier today, but for the same reason, a more joyous ending.
RuralMom
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
Hoped, prayed, and spread the word, we got the outcome this community was seeking! Let's all just be thankful for some GOOD news for a change!
JRW
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
So, she was last seen at 9:30 pm on Thursday and found 5:30 Friday. Did she spend the night in the woods? Need more info. Glad she was found, but this article tells the reader nothing.
tom swift jr.
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 10:09 a.m.
Any further information is absolutely none of your business.
WalkingJoe
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.
It tells you all you need to know. Maybe you and JPLewis could start a private detective service so you can satisfy your need to pry into others business.
a2citizen
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.
Maybe the squirrels aren't talking.
breadman
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
Prayers were answered. Just get a quick recovery.
Brad
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
They're always answered, just most of the time with "NO!".
a2citizen
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.
Wonder if latersbaby and the rest of the keystone cops will post comments. J: Glad your was is being taken care of. Hope everything works out.
samue1eb
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.
Prayer matters! So relieved that she was found safe and is getting help. I am sure her husband is so glad to have his wife back in his arms. I can't imagine what his night was like last night.
Enso
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.
Prayer matters? Please.
TinyArtist
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
But you must admit, Robert, that prayer often mutters.
Robert Granville
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2 p.m.
No... it doesn't.
leezee
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
Great news!!
Deb Anderson
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
Thank God she was found.
beeswing
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
Yay!!!
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
Awesome! I'm so glad she was found. Usually, stories like this don't have happy endings. I hope she's alright. I bet her husband is beyond thrilled right now.
HereAndThere
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
I was SO happy to see this headline just after reading the original article about her disappearing. I hope she's OK!
Dr. Fate
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:06 p.m.
Wow. This definitely begs for more details. Did she pass out? Become delirious and confused? What?
Detached Observer
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.
Next time you're worried about a missing person, go look for 'em yourself. If even half these complainers had gone for a walk in Eberwhite Park Friday, she would have been found hours earlier.
JPLewis
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
Who said anything about wanting medical records? A proper police report should have more information than "she was found disoriented and confused. Other information is relevant and the public's right to know; Was she alone? How long had she been where they found her? Were there signs of foul play? Was she missing any items or belongings? Was she found on private or public property? Was she found by a citizen or the police? Did she appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs? If some of you don't want to know these things, that's fine, but good police work and reporting would have this information in the article, when and if it's available.
HB11
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 10:53 a.m.
**but posted a story...
HB11
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 10:52 a.m.
I'm with Dr. Fate and JPLewis, I want to know more since AA.com piqued my curiosity with the headline, but a story that has more holes than swiss cheese. By all the dissenters' rationale, NONE of the news is anyone's business.
jen777
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 10:32 a.m.
actually a pooice record does not get into the medical issues which would be protected under hipaa i do not believe we need to now the detailed police info
Chris
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 4:20 a.m.
Police records and their public nature don't compel media outlets to report on them...go ahead and file a FOIA request if you want to know more.
ummsw
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:10 a.m.
@Anna ..Well said thank you!!
Anna
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
People, please calm down. It's wonderful that she's found - that's the important fact. She either left voluntarily or involuntarily. Either way, there are a multitude of possible reasons. A psychological condition, medication, the need for some space, the list goes on and on. Let's just be happy that she is safe and it didn't end tragically.
a2citizen
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : midnight
JPLewis: True, police reports are part of the public record. But medical records are not. The police reports say Mrs. Fine was missing. Then they say she was found, disoriented and confused. That much is your business. When the woman was dropped off at the hospital the matter ceased being any of your business.
jcj
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
JP If its public record go to the police station and see how far YOU get!
JPLewis
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:49 p.m.
Look, police reports and events are matters of public record, and it is the responsibility of the press to report on such.
jcj
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.
JPLewis Wrong you may want to know but it is NONE of your business!
WalkingJoe
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.
With all due respect JPLewis I'm curious too but my feeling is if it didn't involve foul play it's not any of our business. And by the way annarbor.com why isn't this the top story and not the raid for K2 at Bongz and Thongz?
JPLewis
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
With all due respect shine16, once the police are involved, it is our business.
shine16
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.
Yes, we would all wonder the same thing, but in reality it's none of our business.
shine16
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
VERY glad she's been found. I hope she is okay and is released from the hospital soon. Nice that her husband's wondering and worrying are over.