In a tragic and mysterious case, Paulette Landrieux, an 83-year-old woman from Andenne, Belgium, vanished without a trace in 2020, only for the mystery to be solved two years later through a chilling discovery on Google Maps.
Paulette, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, was cared for by her husband, Marcel Taret. He would often help her remember to eat or take her medications, as she would sometimes wander off without telling him. On November 2, 2020, while Marcel briefly stepped away to hang clothes, Paulette, who had been sitting in front of the television, disappeared. When he returned, she was gone.
A search-and-rescue mission ensued, with authorities using helicopters to search the area, but no trace of Paulette was found. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, with no leads. Marcel was left in despair, resigning himself to the idea that he might never know what happened to his wife.
Paulette Landrieux, 83, suffered from Alzheimer’s and was cared for by her husband. Credit: Google Maps
Then, two years later, a neighbor made a startling discovery while browsing Google Maps. In a street view image captured outside the Taret home, Paulette was seen walking away from the house, with Marcel visible in the background hanging laundry. The neighbor contacted investigators, who were able to use the image to reconstruct Paulette’s path.
The image revealed that across the street from the Taret home was a steep hill that led down to a thick bramble bush. Tragically, Paulette’s body was found in that very bush, likely trapped and unable to call for help.
The mystery of Paulette Landrieux’s disappearance was solved after two years. Credit: Google Maps
Investigators believe that Paulette, confused and unable to communicate, became stuck in the bush during the initial search for her and tragically passed away there. Her disappearance and subsequent death remained a mystery for two long years until the Google Maps discovery shed light on the truth.
This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges faced by those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, as well as the unexpected ways in which technology can sometimes provide answers to long-unsolved mysteries.
Please share this story to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those with Alzheimer’s and the sometimes surprising ways mysteries can be solved.
