West Hawaii Today staff
KAILUA-KONA — The search for a 67-year-old South Kona woman missing since Sunday continues.
While conducting extensive checks for Deborah “Debby” Wiley, the Hawaii Police Department received information that Wiley was spotted walking up Captain Cook Road A at approximately 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Detective David Matsushima said police confirmed Wiley was, in fact, the person observed.
As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, no sign of the woman had been found; however, Matsushima said friends and family were expected to continue the search Wednesday evening in the area. Captain Cook Road A is located in the vicinity of the family’s home, where Wiley wandered from Sunday.
Wiley’s son, Justin Wiley, on Wednesday expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support.
“Thank you to all the community for your support in helping to find Debby. We know Ke Akua uses hard times like this to bring his people together,” he said. “Keep the prayers coming. They are working.”
Wiley, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, is in need of medication. She’s described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a dark blue-colored long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and grayish-white tennis shoes, according to police.
She was last seen by her husband of 40 years, Jim Wiley, at about 5 p.m. Sunday in the yard of their home near Hind Road in Captain Cook.
Anyone with information should call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Matsushima at David.Matsushima@hawaiicounty.gov or 326-4646, ext. 224.
Debbie Baxter is organizing search efforts, which are headquartered at Lanakila Church in Kainaliu, the Wiley family’s church. If anyone is able to help, contact her at 938-1120.
Church members gathered Tuesday to pray for Debby Wiley’s homecoming.