The Scotia Police Department’s search for a missing woman came to a close on Thursday morning after a tip from a Rexford resident led police to find the body in the Mohawk River.
Scotia police started the search for Alma D. Melbourne, 65, on Tuesday, Nov. 23, after she left her residence on Collins Street in the Village during the late afternoon and didn’t return home. Melbourne has been known to walk away before, said police, but she either returns or is located by family members or police. In early reports, police said Melbourne had been depressed recently, which could have lead to her walking away.
The Scotia Police Department, Scotia Fire Department and members of the State police road patrol and aviation unit conducted an initial search by ground and air on Nov. 23, which led to negative results.
The following day, Nov. 24, several K-9 units in the area assisted Scotia police in searching the bike and pedestrian trail located off Washington Avenue. Also involved in the search were the Scotia Fire Department, members of the Alplaus Fire Department Air Boat Rescue Team and members of the State police aviation unit. Search was conducted by ground and air, but again led to negative results.
While State police were preparing for their third air search on Thursday, Nov. 25, of the Scotia-Glenville bike trail with Scotia police and the Schenectady County Sheriff patrol, a call was received from a resident of Bluff Street, Rexford, said police.
According to police, the Rexford resident said there was a blue object in the Mohawk River behind his house. The State police helicopter then confirmed the blue object was a body, which was recovered with the assistance of the Alplaus Fire Department air boat and personnel. Family members later identified the body to be Melbourne.
The body was transported to Ellis Hospital for a follow up with the Medical examiner’s office, said police, but no foul play is suspected.`
