The Tribune

LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE body of an elderly woman believed to be a person who was reported missing this week was discovered in a pond in South Ocean Village yesterday afternoon.

The Tribune understands the victim is 71-year-old Alberta Russell. However, police did not release the identity of the deceased. Ms Russell was reported to police on Monday as missing after she was last seen at her residence in South Ocean Village at 8.30 am.

Police press liaison officer, ASP Audley Peters said officers discovered the body of an elderly woman shortly after noon yesterday while searching for a female who was reported missing in the area.

“Officers of the Criminal Investigations Department were in the area of South Ocean as a result of our investigation into a missing person’s complaint that was launched two days ago,” he told reporters at the scene.

“We were searching the area of a pond when they discovered the body of a female submerged. The body was retrieved, and it was confirmed that it was a female.”

He said the deceased appeared to be her 60s.

“However, at this time, we are not able to say who that individual is. We are awaiting that autopsy report to determine the cause of death and the identification by her next of kin,” he added.

When asked if foul play was suspected, he replied: “At the moment, we don’t suspect foul play.”

Ken Nairn, a resident in the community, also told The Tribune he did not believe foul play was involved. He said he heard the victim had Alzheimer’s disease.

“Yesterday we all got a notification in our area, all the residents that the lady was missing so we all were looking around in the bushes, but we understand that she had amnesia, like she has Alzheimer’s,” he told The Tribune.

“And this morning, I know my neighbour said they saw a white object in the area but they wasn’t too sure and I didn’t really go around there this morning, but then when I saw the officers walking through my yard that’s when I realised that they must have found the body.

“…I don’t think it’s any foul play or I would hope not because it would make me feel uncomfortable too because I also have an elderly mom that lives here too.”