Maine Game Wardens located a missing couple in Washington County Thursday. Pamela Helmstadter, 72, was found alive but severely hypothermic. Her husband, John, 82, was found deceased.

Game Warden Kayle Hamilton and K9 Ash found Pamela Helmstadter in a forested area over a mile from the couple’s home in Alexander.

The body of John Helmstadter was located about 200 yards away.

One of Helmstadter's dogs, one-year-old black lab Lucy, was found by Pamela Helmstadter’s side.

According to the warden service, Pamela Helmstadter was “severely hypothermic but alert” and was transported to Calais Community Hospital for observation. 

The Helmstadters had last been in contact with family members on Saturday.

“The couple had gone for a walk with their dogs on Sunday in the woods behind their home, where there is a network of trails,” the warden service stated in a press release. “During their walk they had gotten off one of the trails, and then John fell and was unable to get up. Neither of them had cell phones with them, and Pamela went to get help, but got disoriented in the woods and could not get home.”

A neighbor who checks in on the Helmstadters had brought a package inside their house on Tuesday. The next day, after seeing the package still in the house but no sign of the couple nor  one of their dogs, the neighbor called the police.

Wardens and members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office began searching Wednesday night and were joined by members of Maine Forest Service and Maine Search and Rescue Dogs.

Pamela Helmstadter “said she had given up hope of being found,” the news release stated.

However, her hope was restored on Thursday, after hearing a warden airplane circling overhead, the release stated.