A woman has tragically died with her body found down a well just hours after surviving a car crash.
Shirley Obert, 67, a mum of four, disappeared after being involved in an accident in Monroe County, Georgia, last Saturday sparking a massive search. Authorities believe she may have fallen down the well after trying to get help. Police issued an appeal after Mrs Obert, who was wearing the uniform for her job at a fast food restaurant, went missing with her crashed car having been found. And tragically 24 hours later her body was discovered down a “deep well”.
A local police statement read: “The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has located Mrs Shirley Obert. It is not the outcome that we were hoping for. She was found deceased at the bottom of a deep well that was surrounded by very thick brush, near where her car was found.”
The statement added: “Mrs. Obert appeared to have been trying to go for help when this incident occurred. This appears to be a tragic accident.” Police are continuing to investigate what happened and they have admitted that the exact circumstances leading to her death may never be found.
“She could have looked down or swerved to avoid an animal. Our best guess to how she came to be in the well, is that she was walking trying to make her way out of the woods, when she stepped into it,” a spokeswoman for Monroe County Sheriff’s Office told the Mail.
Images released by emergency services shows a rescue team using ropes to go down what appeared to be a narrow well shaft. Last Saturday Ms Obert’s sister-in-law Tanya Obert Pinson wrote on Facebook: “Please pray for my sister in love Shirley Obert she was in car accident and my family looking for we love her so much.”
And a friend Vanessa Awtry also appealed for help from the public. She wrote: “Y’all please keep an eye out for Mrs. Shirley Obert and if you see anybody resembling her please call Monroe County!! PLEASE SHARE THIS!!! HER AND HER FAMILY ARE LIKE PART OF OUR OWN. She was last seen wearing what sounds like her CFA uniform (red shirt black pants).”
And then following the terrible news of her body being found she wrote on Facebook: “Mrs. Shirley Obert was an awesome lady and I’m lucky to have not only known her, but to have been loved by her. She always gave the best, tightest hugs that felt like they could fix whatever was wrong with your day. I’ll miss our run ins in town and will forever miss those ‘get together’ plans we discussed but life never allowed time for.”
She also encouraged people to donate to a GoFundMe page for the family. The fundraiser states: “Please help the Obert family during this time of tragic loss. Mrs. Shirley was involved in a car accident that left her missing for over 24 hours.
“She was found deceased in a deep, unmarked well that was covered in thick brush nearby the area where her car went off the road. Shirley was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and friend to many.
“She is survived by her husband, daughter and 4 sons. Unfortunately, she did not have life insurance and was the sole provider for her husband. “
Funds raised in this GoFundMe will be given directly to the family to help with any expenses they may currently have and will incur as they navigate this tough time.”
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