Anaheim couple found, relief and grief for loved ones

The two week search for a missing Anaheim couple, headed to the Coachella Valley from San Diego, has ended. Cecil Knutson, 79, was found dead while his wife Dianna Bedwell, 68, was found alive Sunday afternoon.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said off-roaders spotted the couple and their white 2014 Hundai Sonata stuck in a remote area of Los Coyotes Indian Reservation, stranded in mud and boulders.

Knutson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was diabetic and so is Bedwell, who survived on a bag of oranges, pie and rain water. She was air lifted to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, severely dehydrated in serious condition.

“For them to be found and her to be alive is a miracle, an absolute miracle and I just hope she is able to recover and rejoin her family,” said Bill Garcia, the family’s hired private investigator.

The couple was last seen leaving the Valley View Casino in Valley Center on Mother’s Day. Bedwell told investigators they got lost while trying to take a shortcut to their son’s La Quinta home.

Neighbors at the Rancho La Paz Mobile Home Park in Orange County were saddened with some relief.

“We’re glad to hear something. It’s better than not knowing anything,” said neighbor Donna Miller.

“The whole park really feels bad that this happened,” said neighbor Charlie Miller.

Tribal leaders from the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation sent their condolences to the family Monday and wished Bedwell a speedy recovery.

“The family wants to share their thoughts about everyone’s compassion, their words that have been given on the website and verbally,” said Garcia.