Missing Texas Woman Update: Body Of 89-Year-Old Grandmother Suffering From Dementia Found In Irrigation Ditch

The body of an 89-year-old woman, who went missing from her home Friday (May 1), was found in an irrigation ditch in a Socorro neighborhood in Texas, on Tuesday (May 5).

The woman, identified as Martha Gandara Arrieta, who suffered from dementia, wandered off from her home Friday.

“They realized she wasn’t inside. They searched all around the house, and realized she wasn’t outside either and that’s when panic started,” the woman’s granddaughter had said. The family members and neighbors began searching for the woman Friday and police joined them the following morning. The K-9s traced the woman’s scent to a gas station, however, no other leads were found. Following this, the family sought the public’s help in finding the elderly woman.

“The response has been so overwhelming. People I don’t even know are going above and beyond to help find her. The entire Socorro community has really come together for me and my family,” said the granddaughter. Arrieta, who was about 4 feet and 9 inches with a scar on her nose, was last seen wearing a pink blouse, black pant and brown sandals.

“When you have dementia, you depend on other people to be safe. Most of the time she is pretty much living in her childhood. She’s confused and she doesn’t really know what’s going on,” said the granddaughter.

Though the family was hopeful that the elderly woman would return home safely, their hopes were quashed when her body was found Tuesday. Officials said her body was found on a private property in an irrigation ditch. Investigation was ongoing and it was not clear if foul play was suspected in the elderly woman’s death. The law enforcement officials, however, cordoned off the area and asked people to avoid the neighborhood.

The family launched a GoFundMe page to get donations for her funeral and memorial expenses. They thanked all who provided resources crucial for her search.

The incident comes a day after the body of a missing Pennsylvania woman was found inside a refrigerator in her boyfriend’s apartment building. Kristy Jefferson, 38, went missing on April 29. The family members told the investigators that the woman and her boyfriend were in an abusive relationship. On Monday (May 4), her body was found in an unplugged refrigerator in the second-floor hallway of her boyfriend’s apartment building. Following this, the man, Daryl Jones, was arrested.