Body Found Near Hope Ranch ID’d
Belonged to 89-Year-Old Metta Thompsen
![](https://www.independent.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/29/metta_thomson.jpg)
The body discovered in a creek bed near Las Olas Drive on Monday, July 20, was identified today by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Coroner’s office as that of 89-year-old Metta Thomsen. An active missing person investigation had been underway since June 27, when, under the influence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, she wandered away from her Cliff Drive residence.