Neighbours of woman who lay dead in Aberdeen home 'for years' say they 'never knew she existed' after body discovery due to missed Covid appointment

Neighbours have been left shocked after the body of a woman believed to have been dead “for years” was found inside the home she shared with her husband – with some locals saying they never even knew she existed.

As reported earlier, police launched an investigation into the ‘unexplained’ death after the woman's body was discovered at a house in Cove, Aberdeen, last Thursday. Neighbours told how they knew of her husband living in the house, but did not realise he had a wife.

The body was found when the elderly woman failed to show up for her Covid-19 vaccination appointment.

Officers are understood to be treating the death as unexplained, with a report being sent to the procurator fiscal.

One shocked neighbour has said she hadn't seen the woman since 2008.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I didn't know the woman. I only knew the man just from living in the area.

“He kept himself to himself. It's such a strange and sad thing to happen.”

Other neighbours took to social media, with one saying: “I've lived in that area for 22 years and I've never known him to have a wife/partner you only ever seen him.”

Police launched an investigation into the ‘unexplained’ death after the woman's body was discovered at a house in Cove, Aberdeen

Another said: “I've lived across from them for years and didn't even know she lived there at all.”

Age Scotland chiefs described the death as “heartbreaking” and urged people to look out for older people in the community.

Chief executive Brian Sloan said: “This is an absolutely heartbreaking case that should act as a reminder to all of us we have an important role to play in looking out for older people in our communities.

“There is at least one isolated person living on every street in the country.

“We should all be aware of that and do our part to help our older friends and neighbours stay connected.

“A phone call to a neighbour or a knock on the door for a socially distanced catch-up chat could make all the difference to an older person's day.”

It is understood that the timeline of the death is one aspect of the police investigation.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers were called to an address in Allison Close, Aberdeen, on Thursday, 25 February, 2021 after the body of a woman was found within. The death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

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