Authorities in the northern Portuguese city of Porto, have discovered the body of a woman believed to have died two years ago in her apartment, national media reported on Monday.
The remains were found on January 21, according to Correio da Manhã newspaper and other outlets, citing local officials.
The diabetic woman is thought to have died at the age of 73. The exact circumstances of her death are still unclear.
The alarm was raised by a doctor at a health centre, after the woman failed to attend appointments for a long period of time. Police officers opened the flat and discovered human remains in her bed among piles of rubbish.
According to neighbours, the pensioner, who lived alone, was last seen shortly before Christmas 2023, when she was taken to hospital for an operation. After that, there had been no sign of life.
Many residents assumed that the elderly woman had moved into a nursing home.
A neighbour told Correio da Manhã that the woman had lived in the flat for around 15 years, and had become increasingly reclusive.
A few months after her disappearance, residents informed the city administration because there had been no sign of life in the flat. Although officials visited, no further action was taken.
Later, the electricity and water were turned off and the woman’s letterbox filled with post. No missing person report was ever filed.
