Body of elderly woman found in Nisqually River Tuesday, deputies say
UPDATE: The name of the woman who died has been added to this story.
Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies located the body of an elderly woman Tuesday who they say died by accident near the Nisqually Pines area, outside of Yelm.
Priscilla Taylor, 79, died by drowning and blunt force injuries after falling into the Nisqually River, said Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock on Thursday. His office is listing the cause of death as accidental, he added.
Deputies responded to the area Tuesday afternoon after Taylor’s family notified law enforcement she was missing, said Lt. Cameron Simper.
“Her family had not heard from her since this weekend,” Simper said. “They came to check on her and did not find her in the home, but found an indication she may have fallen down an embankment.”
Deputies found Taylor in the Nisqually River about 50 yards from her home, Simper said.
He said it appears she tried to retrieve an item on the edge of the embankment, lost her footing and fell into the water below.
The sheriff’s office does not suspect foul play. Simper called the incident a horrible accident.
This story was originally published April 7, 2021 at 11:31 AM.
