Missing Riverside woman found dead, with dog by her side

The body of an 82-year-old woman who had been missing since Thursday was found dead in the woods in Riverside, with her dog sitting by her side.

After an exhaustive search to find Jean Taber on Saturday and Sunday, authorities reported that it appeared no foul play had been at hand in her death.

“It doesn’t appear there were any suspicious circumstances,” said Trooper Tammy Mickoliger. “She was possibly disoriented, and unfortunately may have expired from the elements after a certain amount of time had expired. Until the Medical Examiner’s investigation is done, we can’t speculate on the cause of death.”

Ms. Taber suffered from dementia, and had last been seen walking her Cocker Spaniel about 2:15 p.m. Thursday.

Sunday’s search, which included close to 60 emergency personnel, family and friends, followed a search that went into the night on Saturday. Bloodhounds had been transported down from Poughkeepsie and helicopters were used in the search in nearby woods to aid in the canvassing effort.

Her body was found in “the rugged terrain of the David A. Sarnoff Preserve,” State Police said in a statement, a couple miles south of the mobile home where she lived. Ultimately, it was a helicopter that spotted the body at about 3:40 p.m.

The dog was brought to a nearby veterinarian, and seemed to have suffered slightly from dehydration.