A search for a missing Medford woman has ended on a good note.

Beverly Sue Christian, 40, was located Sunday in Yucca Valley, Calif., after she'd hitchhiked there to visit a friend. Her sisters, who live in Yucca Valley, saw her in town.

"Apparently she just decided to take off," said Christian's father, Leroy Roby of Medford.

Christian had been working as a housekeeper at a Medford motel. Family and friends became worried after she told her roommate on May 20 that she was going to Fred Meyer and then didn't return.

Her roommate reported her missing, and the investigation heated up when her purse was found alongside Interstate 5 near Grants Pass.

Christian lost her purse while she was hitchhiking to Yucca Valley, police said.

Roby said his family received a lot of calls and moral support from friends while his daughter was missing.