West Philadelphia

Woman suffering from dementia found dead in back of cold car in West Philly

Bessie Watson was found dead in the back of a parked car on Georges Lane, Philadelphia police said

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For two days, 92-year-old Betsy Watson was missing. She was later found dead in the backseat of a parked car and Philadelphia police believe the intense cold played a role in her death. NBC10’s Shaira Arias spoke with Watson’s daughter.

An elderly woman – who family members say had dementia – was found dead in a car parked on the West Philadelphia block where she lived, police said while noting they believe cold played a role in her death.

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Bessie Watson left her Georges Lane home in the Wynnefield neighborhood on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, Philadelphia police said. Her daughter last saw the 92-year-old around 2 p.m.

Surveillance video showed Watson walking away from her home, but not returning, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

"I am still kind of numb. While she was missing, it was different than actually knowing now that she is not coming home anymore," her daughter, Gwen Watson, said. "I thought maybe someone took her inside the house. It's the worst day of the year It's cold."

Just before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, police and medics responded to the same block where Watson lived for a call about a woman in the back of a parked car, Small said.

Medics then pronounced Watson dead on location, Small said. She was wearing a winter coat when her body was found.

The car Watson was found in belongs to a neighbor and the neighbor said she often leaves the car unlocked, Small said.

Her daughter told NBC10 that she was diagnosed with dementia in 2016.

"Hers was pretty advanced. She was like a 2-year-old. The only thing she did really well was walk and eat. She loved food," her daughter said.

Police believe that exposure to the cold – temps in Philadelphia have been below freezing for days – led to Watson's death, Small said. However, the medical examiner would need to officially determine that from an autopsy.

Emergency doctor Jose Torradas told NBC10 that the recent temperatures in our region can be detrimental to anyone, especially those with dementia.

"As we get into more moderate or severe cases of hypothermia, that can turn into confusion, lethargy, difficulty breathing and it can progress to the extreme of death," Dr. Torradas said.

His advice to everyone is to take safety measures

"It's about keeping an eye on family members who are more vulnerable. It means understanding that if we drink alcohol, or don't cover ourselves up the right way, or get wet, for example in very cold condition, is that that can lead to hypothermia within minutes."

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