For several tense days, familiar neighborhoods became the focus of an urgent search.
Police officers moved methodically through streets residents knew well, reviewing surveillance footage and responding to every possible lead. Each reported sighting briefly lifted spirits — until a quiet call early Thursday morning suggested the search might be over in the most heartbreaking way.
The effort to locate a missing elderly woman has now ended in tragedy.
Glenda Keal, 85, from Leicestershire, had been reported missing after she failed to return home on Sunday, December 7. Concerns were raised when she was last seen leaving her residence in Earl Shilton, prompting an extensive police investigation.
On Thursday, December 11, at approximately 8:40am, Leicestershire Police were alerted to the discovery of a woman’s body in the Brick Kiln Street area of Hinckley.
Although formal identification is still pending, officers believe the body is that of Mrs Keal.
Investigators confirmed she was last seen shortly after 1:50pm on Hawley Road in Hinckley, walking toward Westfield Road. CCTV images released during the search showed her pushing a shopping trolley as she moved along the street.
Further enquiries established that earlier that day, Mrs Keal had boarded the number 158 bus from The Hollow in Earl Shilton just before 1:30pm. She got off at The Crescent in Hinckley around 1:45pm, moments before appearing on camera.
As time passed without any contact, concern among her family grew. Specialist officers have since been assigned to provide support during this difficult period. Police have stated that there are currently no circumstances suggesting her death was suspicious.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said:
“During the search for an 85-year-old woman reported missing from her home in Earl Shilton, a body has been found.
“Glenda Keal was last seen on Sunday, December 7, shortly after 1:50pm on Hawley Road in Hinckley, walking toward Westfield Road.
“At around 8:40am today (Thursday, December 11), officers received a report of a woman’s body discovered in the Brick Kiln Street area of Hinckley. While formal identification has yet to take place, it is believed to be Glenda Keal.
“Her family are being supported by specially trained officers at this extremely difficult time and have requested privacy. The death is not currently being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner.”
Conclusion
The discovery has brought a somber close to days of anxious uncertainty for Glenda Keal’s family and the local community. While the full details of her final hours may never be known, police have confirmed there is no evidence of wrongdoing.
As her loved ones mourn in private, residents are left with the quiet sadness of a search that ended not with relief, but with loss.