WEST ALEXANDRIA —A body believed to be that of missing West Alexandria resident Laura Patterson was discovered during a search by law enforcement officials on Saturday morning, July 28.

The Preble County Sheriff’s Office continued its investigation into Patterson’s disappearance at 6 a.m. Saturday morning, with a coordinated search by PCSO deputies, members of the Buckeye Search and Rescue Dogs of Loveland and Southwestern Ohio Search and Rescue Dogs from the Dayton Area. The groups searched a wooded area near Patterson’s residence.

Patterson, 52, was reported to have left her residence on Woodside Drive last Thursday, July 19, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Patterson left the house walking and her whereabouts were unknown, according to officials. Investigators did not know what type of clothing she was wearing. And, according to Sheriff Mike Simpson, it appeared she took nothing with her when leaving.

At approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday, K-9 united located human remains in a thick, wooded area east of Woodside Drive and west of Quinn Road. Deputies believe the remains to be those of Patterson.

Investigators remained on the scene for approximately 2 1/2 hours, processing the area, Simpson reported.

The remains were removed to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, where an autopsy will be conducted to make a positive identification and determine a manner of death. West Alexandria Fire and EMS also assisted during the search operations, according to Simpson.

The case remained under investigation by the PCSO and Preble County Coroner’s Office at press time.