MARIETTA, Ga. — Marietta Police are now investigating the death of an 89-year-old woman whose body was found after disappearing near the assisted living facility where she lived.
Authorities first got the call about Patricia Miele on Saturday morning.
"When our officers responded to that scene, they were told by the staff the last time that resident, an 89-year-old female, had been seen was the night before at 11 p.m.," said Officer Chuck McPhilamy with Marietta Police Department.
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He added the circumstances surrounding her death and disappearance raised some red flags.
"There were already red flags there. Why had it been so long that it’s now 9:30 in the morning on Saturday," he questioned.
McPhilamy said Marietta police got right to work while other agencies joined in on the search for days.
He explained that part of the search included checking a nearby pond. Crews flew a drone above the pond, guided by the Cobb County Dive Team.
"(The dive team) said based on everything that we’re seeing, using sonar and using our technology, it would take us two full days to search this body of water," McPhilamy recalled.
While using sonar, there were two alerts during the investigation, notifying crews that something was in the water. McPhilamy said both times, it was a log.
The dive team then explained on Sunday that if they couldn't find her and she was in the lake, then it was likely her body would float to the top of the creek on Monday morning.
On Monday, police reported Miele was found in a pond near Greenwood Place Assisted Living and Memory Care on Monday.
"It was a tragic outcome to a very long search," said McPhilamy.
Police initially said there were no preliminary signs of foul play.
"But now, we have a death investigation," McPhilamy explained.
He said one of the first questions asked during the search for Miele was for surveillance video.
"Unfortunately, to our dismay, there wasn’t video available. And that already raised another red flag because you have to think like an investigator now and say, well, if there isn’t video evidence, how do we even know she left the facility?" McPhilamy questioned.
He said that is just one of the questions police are asking in their investigation.
"How did this occur? Did anything criminal occur? There are a lot of questions that we have exactly like your viewers do. How did this happen?" McPhilamy said.
Police added that they’ve interviewed multiple staff members at the facility and will continue to do so as part of the investigation.
11Alive asked the facility about security protocols. It said, in a statement:
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our assisted living residents at Greenwood Place and our hearts go out to the family with our deepest sympathies. At this time, due to the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation, as well as for the privacy of the residents, team members and family involved, we politely ask that you respect their privacy, and we are unable to comment with further specifics. Please know, our onsite team remains completely dedicated to the service and care of our community members.
Cobb County 911 says since 2020, there have been 335 calls for service to the facility. It added that data may have some overlap between the police department and the fire department responding. It's unclear exactly what those calls were related to and the type of incidents crews responded to.
McPhilamy also said they’re waiting on the autopsy report from the medical examiner. He added that this is a long process and the investigation will take some time.