In a tragic incident amid a spate of freezing weather, 92-year-old Bessie Watson reported missing since Sunday, was found deceased on Tuesday in the Wynnefield neighborhood of West Philadelphia. According to 6abc, she was discovered in the back of her neighbor's unlocked car, with authorities indicating she may have died from exposure to the cold. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small stated, "She was dressed for the weather. She did have a winter jacket and other articles of clothing appropriate for this time of year."
Watson, who according to her family suffered from dementia, was missing since leaving her home on the 1800 block of Georges Lane. Amid temperatures plummeting below freezing, the city issued a Code Blue advisory, which puts homeless outreach on high alert and urges those without shelter to seek warmth. FOX 29 reports that Watson had gone missing before and that her current disappearance prompted concern amid the harsh weather conditions.
Watson's body was found on the 1700 block of Georges Street, just a short distance from where she lived. Despite being dressed warmly, with no signs of trauma, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office will determine her exact cause of death. Noting that Watson had a history of wandering from her home, Chief Inspector Scott Small told NBC Philadelphia that surveillance video showed her leaving but not returning. Responding to a call, medics pronounced Watson dead at the scene, inside the car that belongs to a neighbor who mentioned that she often leaves it unlocked.
