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Last updated on Friday, December 9, 2011
(LINTON) - Police found the body of 77-year-old Margaret “Marg” Doane in a backyard about 15 blocks away from her home Thursday morning.
She had been reported missing by her family members late Wednesday night, and police spent 11 hours searching for her.
Her body was found by police in a yard east of 12th Street SE about 10 a.m. Thursday. She was found in an open area - away from any buildings or structures, according to Linton Police Chief Troy Jerrell.
Marg, who had Alzheimer's Disease, disappeared from her West Vincennes Street home about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"She was at home with her family in bed, and she slipped out," said Linton police detective Duane Collenbaugh. "They woke up, and she wasn't where she was supposed to be."
Greene County Coroner Sherri Wilson said it's likely Doane died from exposure to the elements. The low temperature this morning was 21 degrees and Doane was not wearing a coat or shoes when she left her residence. An autopsy is set for this morning in Terre Haute.
The police chief said routine procedures are being followed in the death investigation, but preliminary evidence does not indicate anything suspicious about Doane's death.
"The time of night, the way she was dressed, all had us really concerned about this from the very beginning," Jerrell said. "At this time we are working on the death investigation. A medical exam will be able to tell us a lot. From what I have seen there is nothing suspicious about the death. We just want to cover all the bases."
Early Thursday morning, Indiana State Police joined in the search for Doane with a helicopter. Members of the Putnamville Correctional Facility used police dogs in the search, and members of the Greene County Sheriff's Department also helped search.
"Officers from about every surround agency in the county assisted in the search," Jerrell said.
Weather conditions were a concern during the search. The overnight low temperature was about 27 degrees.
The police chief said this case didn't end well.
"It is just a sad day. We were concerned about this all night. We had everyone helping search for her. We searched every where in the city, trying to track her down. We were concerned with the weather and the way she was dressed," Jerrell said. "We had a lot of fears of this right from the beginning."
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