A woman's body, believed to be that of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard, was found near a sinkhole above a shuttered coal mine in Unity Township, Pennsylvania. Pollard was last seen searching for her cat near a restaurant close to her home. Her family reported her missing as temperatures dropped below freezing. The search intensified around a sinkhole in Marguerite village, where Pollard's car was discovered parked nearby with her 5-year-old granddaughter safe inside.
Search efforts included using a pole camera with a listening device to explore the sinkhole, which was not successful. Crews excavated soil and rock to access the area where Pollard was believed to have fallen into the 30-foot deep chasm. The search team expressed relief upon locating Pollard, as time and resources were running out.
Pollard, who grew up in Jeanette and lived in Unity Township for most of her adult life, had worked at Walmart and was married for over 40 years. The sinkhole, which may have recently opened up, went unnoticed by hunters and restaurant workers in the area prior to Pollard's disappearance.
State police and coroner's office were involved in the search operation, with the deputy coroner confirming the discovery of Pollard's remains. The community came together in the search for Pollard, highlighting the importance of swift and coordinated efforts in such situations.
