Fears missing woman, 76, mauled to death by puma as body found in woodland

19 July 2023 , 14:03

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Sonia del Carmen Hernández Alvarado is suspected dead after being mauled by a puma (Image: Jam Press)

The remains of a 76-year-old missing woman have been found amid fears she was attacked by a puma.

Sonia del Carmen Hernández Alvarado vanished from her home a week ago. Her body was found four days later on 17 July in a wooded area just 180 feet (55 m) away. It is feared she was dragged there by a big cat.

The police in Petrohué, 275 miles south of Santiago, Chile, said the corpse showed signs of having been mauled by a wild animal. Pumas are known to live in the area.

The victim’s home is located within the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.

Authorities searching the area near Santiago, Chile (Jam Press)

She lived alone in the remote area and family members would bring her food and supplies by boat.

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Police spokesperson José Delgado said: “At the scene, the lady’s clothes were found and after analysing them we ruled out the involvement of third parties.

“Her injuries, plus the evidence from her clothes, led us to believe there would have been some type of animal attack.”

The authorities stressed that the victim’s remains have not yet been identified.

But everything indicates it was the missing woman.

Experts are carrying out an autopsy on the body to identify the victim and their exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, the Public Prosecutor's Office has instructed the police to continue searching the area where the body was found for more clues.

The investigation is ongoing.

Ryan Fahey