Body Of PA Woman Swallowed By Sinkhole Recovered

MARGUERITE, PA — Four days after she disappeared after falling into a 30-foot sinkhole, the body of Elizabeth Pollard was recovered Friday morning.

Pollard's body was discovered at 11:03 a.m. in an abandoned mine about 12 feet southwest from the sinkhole's location, Pennsylvania State Trooper Steve Limani said in a news briefing Friday afternoon.

Limai said Pollard either rolled or moved the 12-foot distance from the sinkhole.

The specific cause of Pollard's death is unknown. The Westmoreland County coroner will perform an autopsy.

"We don't have a ton of answers," Limani said.

Although the situation ended tragically, Limani said, "The overall sentiment is that we could not have been more happy for the family that we were able to find her."

Addressing Pollard's family, Limani said, "We grieve for you and our hearts ache for you."

Pollard, 64, was last seen Monday at around 5 p.m. She is believed to have vanished while searching for her missing cat.

Family members reported her missing at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Her car was located early Tuesday behind Monday's Union restaurant. Her 5-year-old granddaughter was found inside the vehicle.

The search team later discovered one of Pollard's shoes in the sinkhole.

Initially a rescue mission, authorities on Wednesday went into recovery mode after the instability of the abandoned mine that caused the sinkhole made it too dangerous for rescue team members to enter.