News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 5, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga.---A sad end to a near four day search after a missing elderly woman with Alzheimer's is found dead.

85-year old Elizabeth Bert was found today around noon on Clarkston Drive in the Buckhead neighborhood. That's more than two miles away from the personal care home she walked out of Thursday morning.

News 12 spent the last three days with search crews as they fought against the clock to find her.

It's been a long four days of searching for the family of Liz Bert. Investigators believe the elderly woman battling Alzheimer's and diabetes sat down to rest after walking for several miles and never got up.

After nearly four hot days of searching, crews discovered the body of 85-year old Elizabeth Bert.

It wasn't the outcome the family was hoping for, but they are relieved the search is over. "At least we did find her, that was our main goal you know we wanted to make sure we found her so everybody that came out we stayed late hours and long nights but we found her," says Carl Gant, Bert's nephew.

Bert was found sitting on a log in the woods about 50 to 75 yards from a street. Investigators say the heat was probably getting to her because she had taken off her shoes and socks and was wearing heavy clothing.

"We miss her and we love her and you know, it's just been hard on the family so we can actually put some closure on this thing," says Gant.

More than fifty volunteers came out Sunday to lend a hand, most picturing one of their own loved ones in the same situation.

"If it was someone in my family, I would hope strangers would come help and I couldn't even sleep at night thinking about it so I came out here in hopes we could find her alive," says volunteer Christy Page.

Crews searched night and day from the air, by foot, with search dogs, and on ATV's. Family members say thank you.

"The family wants to thank all the volunteers, especially the police department, those guys have been out here with us since day one and we really wanna thank those guys and all the volunteers the dogs, the horses, the helicopters, everybody that helped out we just want to say thank you and we appreciate everyones support," says Gant.

Bert walked away from her personal care home Thursday, now her family hopes someone learns a lesson from their loss.

"If they would have had a chime or something on the door, maybe they would have heard when she walked out of that facility so just keep a close eye on your loved ones because you don't ever know when this could happen," says Gant.

An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow to determine exactly when and how Liz Bert died. Investigators believe she had been there since the day she went missing.