Update: Edmonds police reported that Nancy Brancheau was found at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and returned safely home.

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By Teresa Wippel, My Edmonds News

The Edmonds Police Department is requesting the public’s help locating a 59-year-old Edmonds woman with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia who is believed to have walked away from her Westgate-area home at some point late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

Nancy Brancheau was last seen at 10 p.m. Monday at her home in the 22600 block of 105th Avenue W. When family awoke this morning at 9 a.m., she was missing, and police believe she “walked away of her own volition,” Edmonds Police Sgt. Mike Blackburn said. Brancheau was also reported missing on Dec. 12, 2011 but was found that evening at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle. She likes to visit parks and beaches, Blackburn added.

Brancheau is white, approximately 5-2, weighs 135 pounds and has shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes. She is believed to be wearing a black, heavy sweater with white accents and silver hooks on the front, possibly an unknown color hooded sweatshirt underneath, blue denim pants, black shoes and a tan fisherman-style hat with either a Mickey or Minnie Mouse design on the front. She also has a Medical Alert bracelet on her left wrist that identifies her by name, lists her condition and includes a contact telephone number. She will likely be wearing sunglasses, but it’s not believed she took money with her for food or transportation assistance.

Blackburn noted that when Brancheau is confused, she may be more likely to answer to her maiden name, Nancy DeFazio.

Since learning of the woman’s absence, police officers have been searching the area and checking with friends, local businesses and hospitals. Snohomish County Search and Rescue personnel have been called for assistance.

Anyone with information about Brancheau should dial 9-1-1.