Who Is Anne Cameron? Woman With Dementia Feared Dead In Crocodile Attack

The search is still on for a crocodile that is suspected of killing a dementia patient who had wandered from her nursing home on Tuesday in Queensland, Australia.

The 79-year-old woman, Anne Cameron, is suspected to have wandered into a tropical forest and have become disoriented. Several reports suggest the woman removed her clothing and went for a swim in an area inhabited by crocodiles and has been missing since.

This triggered an extensive search in the area, leading to Cameron’s clothes, walking stick and what appeared to be human remains found near a creek bank about 2 kilometers from the nursing home on Thursday, reported Sky News Australia.

"Because of the proximity of these items and this unknown material located near this creek bank, we cannot rule out the possibility of a croc attack," acting inspector Ed Lukin told reporters at a news conference. Lukin added the police were awaiting forensic test results but it was "highly likely" the remains belonged to her.

Cameron had dementia and had only been at the facility for a few weeks, the police said.

Reports stated Cameron’s granddaughter Isabella Eggins posted on social media that the family "have the firm belief that my nan Anne Cameron has passed away in tragic circumstances."

The woman's son, Craig Eggins, also wrote on Facebook that his mother took regular short walks and would ask for help if she got lost, according to the Australian Associated Press. "She's very mobile and could have walked a fair distance," Craig said.

In an interview with ABC News Australia, Eggins said they were all shocked and devastated. Talking about how she would have wandered near the creek, Craig said Cameron had told him she was afraid she would get lost.

"Mum even said to me when we were out for walks 'if I actually turned the wrong direction I am frightened I would lose my way.' We are certain she got disorientated … then she became confused as to which way she was supposed to go," he stated and added the cataract in her eyes would have made it harder for his mother to find her way during dusk.

According to the report, the elderly woman was moved by the family from Canberra only a few weeks ago so she could fight Alzheimer's. She was housed at the low-care facility for early-onset dementia patients, Ozcare, and was fiercely independent. She was also a popular parishioner at the Yarralumla Uniting Church while she resided in Canberra.

A minister at the church, Riana Kok said about Cameron: "We just said goodbye to her a few weeks ago and to now have this news come to us is really sad."

However, the family said they were thankful that Cameron was not "subjected to the insidious nature of Alzheimer's."

"Dying slowly with pieces of her missing every day until she could not remember who she was or who anybody else was. She loved her life up here she loved being with us … she loved the facility she was at and that she had the freedom to come and go. We hope God took care of her in that way and she was not aware of what was going on at the time,” Craig said.

Ozcare released a statement saying Cameron was a"much-loved resident” and the home was saddened by her disappearance.

"Mrs. Cameron was not a resident of our special care secure unit … our thoughts and prayers are with Anne's family during this time," it read.