HOUSTON – A body found in the 3300 block of Jefferson in Houston Wednesday afternoon has been identified as that of a missing elderly woman from Dickinson.
Ethel McFarland was last seen Monday afternoon and was reported missing from her residence in the 2600 block of Avenue H by her family, Dickinson police Detective Tim Cromie said.
Concerned relatives said when they went to check on her, she was nowhere to be found, but her car, purse and cell phone were still in her home.
"Family members are telling us this is very uncharacteristic of her," Cromie said. "People who know her personally said she would not be without her vehicle."
Houston police said McFarland’s body was found in the backyard of a vacant home. She was wearing night clothing and was barefoot.
Investigators said there were no visible signs of trauma to her body, but the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences was conducting additional testing to determine her cause of death.
HPD and Dickinson police were still investigating Friday.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact HPD Homicide at 713-308-3600 or Dickinson police at 281-337-4700.
