Missing Long Island Woman, 79, Found After Desperate 300-Mile Search

Judith Hudson was located in Maryland after a 24-hour journey spanning three states.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:36pm

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A 79-year-old woman with dementia from Orient, New York went missing after failing to arrive at a scheduled medical appointment. Her twin sister reported her missing, and police used license plate recognition technology to track her vehicle's journey from New York to New Jersey to Maryland, over 300 miles away. After a 24-hour search, the woman was safely located by Maryland State Police and Montgomery County Police near Silver Spring, Maryland.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones with dementia, as well as the importance of advanced technologies like license plate readers in helping to locate missing persons, especially those who may be disoriented or unable to communicate their whereabouts.

The details

On March 28, Judith Hudson, a 79-year-old woman with dementia, failed to arrive at a scheduled appointment at Stony Brook University Hospital. Her twin sister Jane arrived at Judith's home in Orient, New York to find her missing. Police used license plate recognition to track Judith's vehicle leaving Southold Town around 10:15 a.m. Her car was then spotted in New Jersey around 4:30 p.m. that day. Judith's phone was turned off, but she was found to be in possession of her partner's Apple Watch. Jane and the Southold Town Police Department's detective division began receiving location updates, and state police as well as several New Jersey police departments were notified to assist in the search. Judith eventually crossed back into New York, driving around Brooklyn for several hours, before heading south to Montgomery County, Maryland. There, Trooper Syd Sarrichio of Maryland State Police and Sgt. Brewer of the Montgomery County Police Department located Judith near Silver Spring, Maryland, over 300 miles from her home, after her 24-hour journey. She was brought to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being reunited with her twin sister Jane.

  • On March 28, Judith Hudson failed to arrive at a scheduled medical appointment at Stony Brook University Hospital around 10:15 a.m.
  • Judith's vehicle was spotted in New Jersey around 4:30 p.m. on March 28.
  • Judith was safely located near Silver Spring, Maryland on March 28 at 2:16 p.m.

The players

Judith Hudson

A 79-year-old woman from Orient, New York who suffers from dementia and another medical condition.

Jane Hudson

Judith's twin sister, who reported her missing after she failed to arrive at a scheduled medical appointment.

Southold Town Police Department

The police department that initiated the search for Judith Hudson and coordinated with other law enforcement agencies.

Trooper Syd Sarrichio

A Maryland State Police officer who assisted in locating Judith Hudson.

Sgt. Brewer

A Montgomery County Police Department officer who assisted in locating Judith Hudson.

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What they’re saying

“After driving for 24 hours, Judith was safely located near Silver Spring, MD — a distance of more than 300 miles away — by the Montgomery County Police Department.”

— Southold Town Police Department

What’s next

Judith Hudson will be evaluated at the hospital where she was located in Maryland before being reunited with her twin sister Jane.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of advanced technologies like license plate readers in helping to locate missing persons, especially those with cognitive impairments like dementia. It also highlights the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones with such conditions and the need for comprehensive support systems to ensure their safety and well-being.