HOUSTON – A reported missing 63-year-old woman who was last seen walking her dog in a Katy neighborhood Tuesday has been found in the George Bush Park, constable deputies with Precinct 5 said.
Constable Ted Heap said Sherry Noppe and her dog Max were located by a group of volunteers and deputies who were alerted by the sound of her dog barking deep in the woods. According to her family, they received a call around 12:47 a.m. saying she was found.
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“It’s a small miracle that she has been found alive after being missing for so long,” said Constable Heap. “Our concern now is getting her out of the woods and to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Thank you to Texas EquuSearch, along with the army of volunteers and multiple law enforcement agencies who never gave up in her search.”
Family members said Sherry was walking her black lab, Max, and had not been seen or heard from since. Her son Justin Noppe said family, friends, and search teams believed she had gone towards George Bush Park, which is near their home.
“Just really want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. This community came together at the drop of a hat for us and we felt the love and the support and we really just want to thank everyone,” Justin said while standing next to siblings Courtney and Jessica during a press conference Friday. “It’s been a blessing to us to bring our mother home on Mother’s Day. This weekend is going to be very special for us…”
Courtney Noppe said while their mother did have some cuts, a few bruises and was experiencing dehydration, she is doing “surprisingly well,” considering how long she was missing and the conditions that she had been in.
When asked about Max, the siblings gave credit to the family dog for saving their mother’s life.
“Oh my God, he saved her life, that dog,” Courtney said, adding that Max is at the vet and is expected to be home today.
Courtney said volunteers turned off their ATVs and heard Max barking, which led the volunteers to them.
Justin said she was found 50 to 100 yards off a trail and out into the woods at George Bush Park.
“With Max, that dog had no leash, no collar, and stayed by her side for three days, and that just shows you that loyalty that that dog has. He would have never left her side” he added.
The siblings also thanked their mother’s close friends for not giving up during their search.
“Kelly, Mike, Krystal, Alex, they were the ones that were out there, so I thank them,” Courtney said, adding that they searched even while storms moved through the area.
“It was like it was everyone’s mother,” Justin said. “It wasn’t just like it was our mother...”
The family said Sherry is expected to be home possibly by today if doctors say she is in good enough condition to be discharged.