Crime & Safety

Missing Woman's Body Found Near Church

The body was discovered by a local recovery dog team.

The body of a woman who went missing from Sunrise Assisted Living on July 25 has been found outside a nearby church. 

The body of Monette Bressler, 62, was discovered on the property at the Lima United Methodist Church at 209 N. Middletown Rd. in Middletown Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police-Media Barracks.

No foul play is suspected, according to State Police.

The Delaware County Medical Examiner has not yet issued a cause of death.

Bressler was last seen at her Sunrise Assisted Living home in Middletown Township at about 10:30 p.m. on July 25.

Linda Murphy, with Pennsylvania Recovery Dogs and West Jersey Canine, said she was called in to join the search around 4:30 p.m. Monday. 

She said police had her search a wooded area by Barren Road near Route 352 and 452 and nothing was found.

Lima United Methodist Church was nearby and Murphy asked police if she and her dog, Deva, could search the church grounds. 

Deva searched the church grounds as well as a residence's wooded area nearby and when the dog reached the front of the church, she found the missing woman behind some bushes in front of the church, Murphy said. 

Bressler was found at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to State Police. 

Murphy, of Middletown Township, has been part of K9 search and rescue teams for about 12 years and Deva, a German Shephard, is her second dog. This was Deva's first discovery. 

She said this search was somewhat difficult because of the busy roadways in the area. Normally, the dogs are left off leash, but for Deva's safety, Murphy kept her on a 30 foot leash.

Working with search and rescue dogs is always a team effort, Murphy said, and Monday was a sad discovery.

"It's sad for her and her family," Murphy said. 


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