Body of Missing Arlington Grandmother Found
77-year-old with Alzheimer's disease wandered out of home on Dec. 18
Saturday, Jan 5, 2013 | Updated 12:03 AM CDT
Amanda Guerra, NBC 5 News
Arlington police discovered the body of a 77-year-old grandmother with Alzheimer's disease who was missing since Dec. 18 after she wandered out of her house.
Arlington police say they have found the body of a 77-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease who disappeared last month.
Maria Arrocha wandered out of her Arbor Lane home at New York Avenue and Park Row Lane on Dec. 18.
Arlington police found her body in a wooded area near 1500 E. Abram St. on Thursday afternoon. The Tarrant County medical examiner positively identified the woman as Arrocha on Friday.
Her death was determined to be caused by exposure to the elements.
Martin Arrocha, her son, said he had mixed emotions, saying he was "a little bit angry because we couldn't find her in time, relief because we know she's in a better place today."
Police officers were working closely with volunteer group Search One Rescue Team, which uses K-9s, as part of an ongoing effort to find Maria Arrocha when her body was discovered.
Her family had been searching for Arrocha since her disappearance. They passed out fliers in both English and Spanish throughout North Texas and spent Christmas looking for her.
NBC 5's Mola Lenghi and Amanda Guerra contributed to this report.
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