Police: Missing Hamilton woman identified as body found in river

Thelma Blackwood

Thelma Blackwood

Police say the woman found dead Friday morning as been identified as Thelma Blackwood, who went missing from her Cleveland Avenue home Thursday in Hamilton.

Hamilton police and the the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Services unit searched for Blackwood, 70, through the night.

At daylight, a Butler County Sheriffs helicopter spotted what appeared to be a body in the river less than a mile from Blackwood’s home. Searchers on foot were able to locate and confirm the woman was dead.

An autopsy will be performed, likely on Monday, said Martin Schneider of the Butler County Coroner’s Office.

The sheriff’s office issued a statewide Endangered Missing Adult Alert Thursday night for Blackwood .

In that alert, which was canceled Friday afternoon, it said “Blackwood suffers from depression and other serious medical conditions, and the sheriff’s office said it is concerned for her safety.”

A large response was involved in the search for missing Hamilton woman Thelma Blackwood on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

icon to expand image

About the Authors