Woman, 85, lay dead in her apartment for FIVE YEARS before anyone noticed

The decomposing body of an elderly woman, who would have been 90 this year, was found this week in her apartment and according to officials, it had been there for five years.

Police in Edinburg, Scotland responding to a call about water dripping through a neighbor’s apartment, found the decomposed body of Isabella Purves’ in the apartment.

According to reports, officers had to force their way into the apartment through piles of unopened mail that were behind the front door.

Authorities were not alerted about Purves’ death because her pension checks were deposited directly in her bank account and her utility bills were paid directly from that account.

Police are now trying to find her relatives.

Neighbors are now questioning why someone did not smell the rotten body or noticed that the elderly woman was missing.

Douglas McLellan, of the Age Concern and Help in Scotland, said what happened to Purves was very tragic.

“If she was not receiving care treatment from anyone and not receiving social care, then the likelihood of being found quickly is minimal,” McLellan said.

“The question is not just about public services finding people and neighbors checking up, it’s about how elderly people themselves are living their lives,” he continued.  “If they are leading private lives, then how are people going to find them?”