Search Concludes for Missing Woman in Pennsylvania Sinkhole Incident
A tense search operation in Marguerite, Pennsylvania, has ended with the discovery of a missing woman’s body. Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, was found four days after she was last seen. Her remains were located in a sinkhole, as confirmed by a state police spokesperson.
State Trooper Steve Limani announced that the body of the 64-year-old woman was transported to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy. Authorities planned a news conference later in the day to share further information regarding the tragic incident.
Pollard went missing on Monday evening, sparking a search that lasted several days. She was last sighted near a restaurant, approximately half a mile from her home in Marguerite, as she searched for her missing cat. Concerned family members reported her missing early Tuesday morning when temperatures had dropped below freezing.
The investigation led authorities to a sinkhole, which reportedly had formed above an area previously used for coal mining. This sinkhole, which started as a small gap, might have recently appeared, unnoticed by those who frequented the area, including hunters and restaurant staff.
During the search, Pollard’s car was discovered parked near the sinkhole. Her 5-year-old granddaughter was found safely asleep inside the vehicle, situated just 20 feet from the hazardous area.
The search efforts involved deploying a pole camera equipped with a sensitive listening device into the sinkhole, but no significant findings were initially reported. Rescue crews worked diligently, removing large quantities of soil and rock to access where Pollard was believed to have fallen, approximately 30 feet below ground.
Elizabeth Pollard, a longtime resident of Unity Township, grew up in nearby Jeanette. She had been married for over four decades and previously worked at Walmart. Friends and family remember her as a caring individual who had deep roots in the community.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
