Sam Amico
A 63-year-old woman who died in a department store in Columbia, S.C., was not discovered until four days after her passing, investigators said.
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Bessie Durham was a janitor at the Belk at Columbiana Centre and was found inside a bathroom stall. Per authorities, her cleaning cart was still outside the restroom.
Per WIS-TV, the store’s camera caught Durham entering the restroom, but never showed her emerging. Her family filed a missing person report on the day she was found. This after not hearing from her for four days.
Durham went missing on Thursday, with her body not being discovered until Monday night. Following what was said to be a busy shopping weekend.
Bessie Durham Found In Bathroom Four Days After Her Death
“We were with the family taking a missing person’s report, and once we were on scene and did a little investigating, we did discover the person deceased at the Belk,” said Deputy Chief Melron Kelly of the Columbia Police Department, via WIS-TV.
“We’re still working with the store to find out what their process is to closing down the store, inspecting the store and things of that nature.”
Kelly added that investigators will continue working with the coroner to determine the exact cause of death.
Belk issued the following statement:
“First and foremost, we send our deepest condolences to the family of the housekeeping associate who was employed by KBS, which provides cleaning services at our Columbiana Centre location. At this time, we are working with KBS to determine the details around what happened. We have also made counselors available to Belk and KBS associates seeking support.”
Officers are currently working with employers and the mall itself to confirm when Durham was last seen. They will be working with Lexington Country Coronor to determine her cause of death. But, law enforcement stated there is no indication of drug use, whatsoever.
