Authorities Determine How Grandma Who Fell into Sinkhole Died While Looking for Pet Cat

Mar. 15, 2025

Elizabeth Pollard.Photo:Elizabeth Pollard/Facebook

Elizabeth Pollard/Facebook

Based on a preliminary autopsy report, Pollard died of injuries to the head and torso, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson.

Carson tells PEOPLE it is unknown whether Pollard died in the fall or died after. Toxicology results from the autopsy have not yet been completed.

The Unity Township woman set off hours earlier in her car, along with her 5-year-old granddaughter, who was later found safe and asleep inside her vehicle.

Approximately 36 hours after Pollard was initially reported missing, officials switched gears in the search and rescue efforts due to safety concerns — and on Wednesday, Dec. 4, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said thattheir work had turned into a recovery effort.

Then on Friday, Dec. 6, authorities announced the discovery of Pollard’s body.

Officials believe she fell through a sinkhole that unexpectedly opened in the ground, and then she dropped into an abandoned mine below.

The sinkhole in Pennsylvania where Elizabeth Pollard fell last week.Pennsylvania State Police via AP

Pennsylvania State Police via AP

“During the course of the removal of dirt and sifting through things, we did find Elizabeth,” Limani, with state police, told reporters. “We found her approximately 30 feet below the surface of where the mine would have sat. She was about 12 feet southwest of where the original sinkhole occurred.”

Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham, the incident commander, noted that crews extricated Pollard’s body from the hole with the use of machinery because “it was not safe to send anybody down.”

In a statement shared withtheTribune-Review, some of Pollard’s relatives thanked authorities for their efforts.

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”They didn’t fail us; they did what they could do,” the family said. “They have been a big support to our family, keeping us updated with everything. “We’re very appreciative of the first responders, state police, anybody that was involved in the search.”

“They took their time to make sure that, regardless what the outcome was going to be, they brought my aunt back to the family, to give that closure that’s going to be needed,” their statement continued.

source: people.com