Missing Indiana mom Britney Gard found alive less than 3 miles from home after suspicious house fire

After more than a week of intense searching, a mother of two from Putnam County, Indiana, has been located alive in a wooded area less than 3 miles from her home, following what authorities call a suspicious fire at her residence.

At the time of the announcement, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office stated that Britney Gard, 46, was transported to Henricks Regional Health Hospital for medical evaluation. No further details about her condition have been released.

It’s currently unclear how she ended up in the woods or the circumstances that led to her being missing. Her family has expressed relief and gratitude, while admitting they still do “not know what happened” or how she got to where she was found.

What happened to Britney Gard?

Gard last had contact with family on September 30, 2025. On October 1, at approximately 7:39 p.m. local time, firefighters responded to reports of smoke at her home in Bainbridge and extinguished a fire. That same day, Gard missed her daughter’s volleyball game, which her family says was out of character.

When firefighters arrived at the home, Gard was nowhere to be found, and all attempts to contact her by family and friends were unsuccessful. Many of Gard’s personal belongings, including her car and purse, were still there. Her phone was missing.

Meanwhile, inside the residence, investigators found damage confined to a portion of the house. Authorities have described the blaze as “suspicious in nature” and say fire investigators are actively working with criminal investigators. In the days following the fire and her disappearance searched nearby ponds and wooded areas, and canvassed cornfields in the region. Authorities maintain that the investigation remains active.

Gard’s family and supporters set up a Facebook page named “Find Britney Gard” during the search. In statements, family members have expressed relief but also frustration over the unanswered questions. Meanwhile, police continue to appeal to the public for any video footage or information from the Bainbridge area, especially for the night of September 30 into October 1.