Emilia 'Emilietta' Chini, the 75-year-old woman with dementia who went missing from her home in Maasmechelen, Limburg last Wednesday, was found dead during a search in nearby woods.
On Tuesday around noon, it was confirmed that the body of Emilia, who disappeared from her home in Eisden-Tuinwijk (Maasmechelen) without a coat and wearing slippers, had been found in the woods, the Mechels Bos, located near her home, however, it is unclear what was the cause of her death.
"She was found on the seventh day, and she really had a thing for the number 7, so symbolically, that seems right for her," her family, who were out every day looking for Emilia, told The Brussels Times. "She is now with her mum, which we all find comfort in."
The body, which has since been confirmed by the Federal Police as that of Emilietta Chini, was discovered during a search operation by local police in the Lanaken-Maasmechelen area, using a tracking dog.
The Missing Persons Unit, the Federal Police and the local police, as well as family, friends, neighbours and volunteers, had all been searching the nearby forest and along the hiking trails for five days without finding any leads, until Sunday afternoon, when a slipper was found.
