Mystery over pensioner's death

The mystery surrounding the death of a Black Country pensioner may never be solved after a coroner ruled an open verdict at her inquest.

Margaret Elliott had been missing for six months before her remains were found near the Junction 2 Industrial Estate on Demuth Way, Langley, alongside the M5 on January 19.

The 75-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer had not been seen the early hours of June 28 2009 when she went missing from her home in Barnford Crescent, Oldbury.

At a resumed inquest into her death Black Country coroner Robin Balmain recorded an open verdict yesterday.

The hearing at Smethwick Coroner's Office heard that Mrs Elliott, a former Causeway Green Primary School teacher, who worked there for more than 40 years, was last seen by her daughter at around 5.30pm on June 27.

She had been to the address and laid out clothes for her mother who was going out to lunch the following day. The inquest heard that sensors had been installed in Mrs Elliott's home so she and her brother James could monitor her whereabouts and records showed the front door sensor had been activated at 1.15am on June 28.

Daughter Kate said her mother could have been heading to the Langley area of Sandwell with which she was very familiar. She said: "She was born and bred in Langley and she did wander off on her own, she used to wander down Langley high street, so I'm just guessing she lost her direction."

Following her disappearance police grew concerned for the welfare of the pensioner as she did not have her medication with her.

A huge search was mounted with more than 200 people including relatives, friends and former pupils spending hours in July to try and find the pensioner. Her remains — complete with jewellery, purse and handbag — were discovered by workmen. A pathologist could not determine a cause of death.