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KIRO 7 viewer spots missing elderly Centralia couple

CENTRALIA, Wash. — A senior Centralia couple who were last seen in Everett on Friday turned up safe in Seattle on Sunday.

The break in the case came when a KIRO 7 viewer called our assignment desk Saturday evening after she spotted the couple in Ballard.

James O'Neal, 85, and his friend, Florence Fisher, 92, both suffer from dementia.

They drove from their home in Centralia to Everett on Friday, but they never made it home.

On Sunday, family members got word the couple were found when a KIRO 7 viewer spotted the pair after seeing the story at 5 p.m.

"You have to thank them, and you have to send our blessings out to them," said Patrick Laakeri, a grandson. "We were really worried."

Laakeri said the news capped a difficult two days.