An intense search of Westport Harbor and the shoreline ended sadly early Wednesday afternoon when officers found the body of a 58-year-old Westport woman about a half mile east of the Fontaine Bridge.

No cause of death has yet been releaased

The search had begun after Westport Police Sergeant Gary Cambra came across a vehicle on Rte 88 southbound at the intersection of Cherry Webb Lane at 2:40 a.m.. The unoccupied vehicle’s engine was still running , the hazard lights were activated and personal belongings were inside the car. Footwear was found on the nearby Fontaine Bridge.

Other Westport officers were called to the area along with a Dartmouth Police K9. Family members told police they had last seen the woman at approximately 10 p.m. when she left her Westport residence.

Westport Police requested resources from several different agencies which included Westport Fire Department, Westport Harbor master’s Office, US Coast Guard, Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Airwing helicopter, Southeastern Mass. Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Dive Team and Search and Rescue Team along with a SEMLEC Mobile Command Post.

Before long, two helicopters, over six boats, a drone, divers and shore crews were involved in the search. The harbormaster deployed three vessels, the Coast Guard and State Police both sent up helicopters and the Coast Guard also deployed a 29-foot vessel, SEMLEC Dive Team sent two vessels along with underwater divers and boat operators, and SAR sent numerous ground personnel along with all-terrain vehicles which supplemented Westport Police rough terrain vehicles.

Westport Police directed ground searchers along the shoreline and dock areas by Cherry Webb Lane, as well as Cherry Webb Beach past Horseneck State Beach toward Gooseberry Island. SEMLEC also used a civilian drone in some difficult shore terrain areas.

At approximately 12:05 p.m., the Westport harbormaster along with Westport Police officer Dave Simcoe in another boat found the woman deceased approximately one half mile northeast of Fontaine Bridge in a shallow marshy area.

Westport Police contacted the State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office along with the office of the medical examiner.

The state boat ramp was closed during the search to protect the safety of the missing person as well as that of search personnel in the water. Mass. Highway placed a message board on Rte 88 near Route 195 which alerted motorists to the boat ramp closure.