Remains believed to be missing woman

Human remains found Friday afternoon in a wooded area of Lassen County, Calif., are believed to be a Gardnerville Ranchos woman missing for three weeks.

Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. Tom Mezzetta said Saturday the remains were consistent with that of Wiltrude Moritz, 71, last seen by her family May 12.

"There were no obvious indications of foul play or trauma present," Mezzetta said. "It is believed that Ms. Moritz had attempted to hike out of the area after having left her disabled vehicle and perished while seeking assistance."

Family members, concerned that Moritz suffered from dementia and required daily medication, reported her missing May 14.

Moritz's 1991 Mazda sedan was discovered Wednesday evening on a logging road six miles south of the Fredonyer Snowmobile Park on Highway 36 between Susanville and Westwood, Calif.

Teams from the Lassen County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team aided by the U.S. Forest Service searched the mountainous and heavily wooded area Thursday and Friday

Mezzetta said the remains were found at 1 p.m. Friday by a U.S. Forest Service searcher about 6.5 miles east of the abandoned vehicle.

He said positive identification of the remains and the cause of death are to be determined at autopsy.

"The sheriff's office extends its condolences to the Moritz family," Mezzetta said.