Woman, 97, found partly decomposed; eaten by vultures

The decomposed body of an elderly woman was discovered on Sunday last at Perseverance Backdam, North West District, Region One.

She is identified as 97-year-old Ruby Williams.

According to a police report, Williams had refused to stay with relatives and opted to live alone in a camp at Perseverance Backdam.

The elderly woman was reportedly last seen alive on June 10, walking alone in the direction of her camp.

On June 13, around 13:00hrs, police said, 69-year-old William Bell was walking through a trail at Perseverance Backdam, where he observed a flock of vultures.

On closer examination, he noticed a decomposing body and reported it the police.

The police report said that the facial tissues and other parts of the woman’s body were eaten by vultures making it impossible to scan the body for marks of violence.

Further, based on the advanced state of decomposition and the damage done by vultures, the body could not have been transported.

A grave was dug and the body buried for possible exhumation.