Missing Woman Found Alive in Ditch After Disappearing When Car Crashed

A missing Florida woman has been found alive in a ditch after her car was found in a canal.

Jennifer Fisher, 53, of Jacksonville, went missing after her 2018 Acura MDX was “discovered partially submerged in a canal” near Indrio Road and Johnston Road around 12 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Two days later, authorities “received multiple 911 calls reporting a naked female lying in a ditch in the 4400 block of Johnston Road” around 5:35 a.m., according to a second news release from the sheriff’s office. Some callers said the individual appeared to be the missing woman.

Upon arrival at the scene, crews confirmed that the woman found in the ditch was indeed Fisher, whose only complaint “was irritation from fire ant bites.”

Fisher initially “was not forthcoming” with authorities, “but did confirm she had crashed her vehicle, removed her clothing, and walked into the woods with the intent of staying there for several days,” according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. 

Initially, authorities believed Fisher had left the scene on a teal-colored e-bike that had been attached to the back of her vehicle. But authorities said Fisher told them “she did not have it with her.”

Fisher also “had planned to stay at an Airbnb for two nights,” but authorities did not know the location of the rental property.

The woman was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center for a medical evaluation after she was found, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation into the case is ongoing.

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“#TeamSLCSO would like to extend our appreciation to the community and our social media followers for sharing our post,” the sheriff’s office said, referring to the first post shared on their Facebook page about Fisher’s disappearance.

“Your participation directly contributed to Ms. Fisher being located safely,” officials added.