Eighteen days after she was dropped off at a rural hospital on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, police and the local community are still baffled as to the identity of an elderly woman – probably in her 80s or 90s – who is unable to identify herself and has not been reported missing.
The woman, described as being in a frail state, was taken to Nambour General Hospital by a stranger who found her wandering on the side of a road near the small town of Mooloolah Valley.
After being treated she was transferred to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where her condition is said to be stable and improving.
National publicity has achieved no result
Although she is now able to speak, she has been unable to identify herself to hospital staff and widespread publicity and photographs, both locally and nationally, have failed to bring to light any further information as to her identity, or anyone who knows her.
Police have been doorknocking in the area without result, and a visit to the community by ABC News drew a similar blank.
“Residents and business owners … do not believe she lives locally, stating theirs was a town where ‘everyone knows everyone’,” the ABC reported.
A ‘bit of a mystery’ say local residents
“It only has one butcher, a supermarket, post office, news agency and cafes, among other businesses, in the same shopping strip, where all residents venture for their daily errands and necessities.”
Diana Van Jole who has managed the Mooloolah Valley IGA for 15 years, told the ABC she had never seen the woman before.
“It’s a bit of a mystery story there,” she said. “Don’t know her, never seen her, and I know my customers pretty well here. Older people I talk to in the town, they don’t know her either.”
Police say she is growing stronger
In a statement, Queensland Police said the woman remains in hospital and “continues to grow stronger”
They are still hoping to reunite the woman with family and friends, and in doing so have released a new photograph of the woman, as well as a ring in her possession that someone may recognise.
Anyone who may know the woman or have further information regarding the ring is urged to contact Queensland Police.
