Neather Kelly was a 93-year-old pillar of her small South Carolina community when she was found dead on January 25 after leaving her home during a record-breaking storm.
At a Glance
- 93-year-old Neather Kelly died after leaving her home amid a severe storm.
- Her 2005 Ford Escape was discovered abandoned in a water-filled ditch.
- Searchers located her body near a power pole, not far from her house.
- Why it matters: The loss underscores the vulnerability of elderly residents with dementia during extreme weather.
A quiet evening on Sunday, January 24, saw a storm battering the area, with temperatures dropping to about 29°F. Despite family urging her to stay indoors, Neather, who lived alone after her husband’s death, chose to drive to her neighbor’s house. Her niece, Brenda Austin, 59, said the family checked on her daily but respected her independence.
Brenda recalled, “Although she was my aunt, she was like a mother and grandmother to us all.” The family, numbering around 50 extended members, lived close by and were deeply involved in her daily life. They were aware of her developing dementia, which sometimes caused confusion, but they did not want to strip her of her autonomy by taking her car.
The first clue that something was wrong came when a neighbor reported finding Neather’s abandoned 2005 Ford Escape in a ditch at about 1 a.m. on January 25. The neighbor, returning home, saw the vehicle in a water-filled ditch and noted Neather’s purse with a relative’s name and phone number inside. They immediately called 911.
A search began before dawn, with police and community volunteers battling rain and low visibility. Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell released a statement early Monday, urging anyone who might have seen the woman to come forward. He said, “We are extremely concerned with the weather having been as cold as it is. We need to locate her as soon as we can.”
The search involved combing backyards, knocking on doors, and even checking spaces where she might have sought shelter. One neighbor’s security camera captured her driving past their home between 10:30 and 11 p.m. on Sunday. The video showed her brake lights on, but the direction she exited the vehicle was unclear.
A niece of Neather’s, who had not yet searched a particular street, decided to look there. She expressed concern that she might find her aunt’s body, given her own painful history of losing a daughter to a drunk driver. She found the body curled up near a power pole, not even a block away from Neather’s house.
“People with developing dementia frequently want to go to places they went to when they were younger,” said Stephanie Bell, Brenda’s daughter. “She was found across the street from a church they used to go to.”
Deputy Richard Walker, spokesperson for the Orangeburg Sheriff’s Office, confirmed to News Of Los Angeles that the body was located at about 9:15 a.m. on Monday. Sheriff Ravenell, in a statement, added, “Unfortunately, this outcome is not what we had hoped and prayed for. Please pray for this family.”
The family gathered around Neather’s home afterward, a place known for its treasure trove of family photos. She had lost her only son and three of her five siblings, yet she remained active in church, community events, and family life. Her niece remarked that at 93 she still wore heels, and her love for sparkly, bedazzled fashion was well known.
Timeline of Events
| Date & Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Sunday, 10:30-11 p.m. | Neather drives past neighbor’s home (security camera) |
| Sunday, evening | Neather leaves home and drives to neighbor’s house |
| Monday, 1 a.m. | Neighbor finds abandoned 2005 Ford Escape in ditch |
| Monday, 9:15 a.m. | Body discovered near power pole |
| Monday, early | Sheriff releases statement and calls for help |
Key Takeaways
- Elderly residents with dementia may inadvertently leave their homes during severe weather.
- Family and community vigilance is crucial, but respecting independence remains a delicate balance.
- Quick reporting of missing persons and abandoned vehicles can prompt timely search efforts.
- The community’s collective mourning highlights the deep ties Neather Kelly had with her neighbors and extended family.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine evening can turn into a crisis for vulnerable individuals, and it underscores the importance of preparedness and support systems for seniors in the face of extreme weather.
