PORT ST. LUCIE – A 37-year-old Port St. Lucie woman, missing from her home since Oct. 24, was found safe though entangled in mangroves in the St. Lucie River on Oct. 28, according to Port St. Lucie Police reports.
Kelly Marie Catrambone was last seen by family members leaving her house on foot at about 5 p.m., Oct. 24, according to police reports. Her disappearance was not reported until Oct. 27, Sgt. Dominic Mesiti confirmed on Oct. 29.
“According to the family, she often wanders away from home, but she usually comes back, but this time, she didn’t,” Mesiti said.
Police began searching the 700 block of Northeast Emerson Street, within walking distance of her home, at about 10:40 a.m., on Oct. 27, Mesiti said. While drone unit officers were continuing to check the area, an officer heard a female yelling for help from across the St. Lucie River, according to police reports.
The Marine Unit was initially deployed but an officer, with the assistance from a private boat owner was able to locate the woman stuck in about two feet of water near an island of mangroves and was unable to move. She was freed from the mangroves by officers Corey Krecic and Denis Raymond at about 9:30 p.m., Mesiti said.
She had no visible injuries, but she was extremely dehydrated and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, according to police reports.
It is unknown how long she was in the water or how she ended up across the river at this time.
The investigation continues.