Woman vanishes after husband steps outside – then Google Maps uncovers tragic truth

Importance Score: 42 / 100 🔵

The enigmatic case of an elderly woman who vanished mysteriously after her partner momentarily stepped out has been resolved two years later, thanks to Google Maps’ Street View feature.

The puzzle involves Marcel Taret, the primary caregiver for his 83-year-old wife, Paulette Landrieux, who struggled with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Daily Care Routine

In a recent video, under podcaster Mr. Ballen, it was outlined that caring for Paulette was Marcel’s full-time responsibility. “Paulette required assistance in remembering to eat or to take her medications on schedule,” he explained.

Product

4K Ultra HD Portable Foldable Projector Screen 100/120 Inch 16:9 with Stand & Carry Bag, Lightweight 1.5 Gain Polyester Material for Indoor Outdoor Home Theater ...
? Coupon price [$42.96]

Buy Now
Product

[Stylish PU Jacket] Stylish Modern Mens Outdoor PU Jacket - Warm Fleece-Lined Motorcycle Coat, Tough Guy
? Coupon price [$34.29]

Buy Now
Product

UNZHUO MAKE Mens High-Top Camouflage Work Boots - Non-Slip, Durable for Hiking, Outdoor & Mountaineering, Nylon Upper, Rubber Sole, EVA Insole
? Coupon price [$48.40]

Buy Now

“Occasionally, she would wander off without informing Marcel. He would then have to locate her and bring her back home.”

The Day of Disappearance

On November 2, 2020, Marcel briefly left Paulette alone to hang laundry. Tragically, this was the last time he saw her.

Before stepping out, Marcel had positioned his wife in front of the television with a meal, anticipating she would be absorbed in her favorite program upon his return. However, she was nowhere to be found upon his return.

Marcel’s Search Efforts

With mounting anxiety, Marcel thoroughly searched every room in their house for his wife. “He went outside,” Mr. Ballen recounted. “He searched the area surrounding the house but found no trace of her. He even knocked on neighbors’ doors, but they hadn’t seen her.”

In desperation, he contacted the authorities and, within an hour, relief washed over him as he spotted a search and rescue helicopter hovering above his home in Andenne, Belgium. Marcel was convinced that—to his relief or dismay—the truth about his wife’s whereabouts would soon be uncovered.

As night fell, there was still no sign of Paulette’s return.

The Prolonged Search

“Over the ensuing days and weeks, Paulette failed to resurface,” Mr. Ballen explained. “No one had any clue about her whereabouts, and as weeks turned into months, and then into two full years, no one had seen Paulette.”

“By this point, Marcel had resigned himself to the fact that he might pass away without ever learning the truth about his wife’s fate.”

A Fortuitous Breakthrough

A remarkable coincidence ultimately solved the case: Google’s Street View car had driven through the couple’s town on the very day Paulette disappeared. A neighbor, browsing through the Street View images of the couple’s home a couple of years later, stumbled upon the clue.

The images showed Paulette crossing the street while Marcel was visible in the back garden. Investigators later pieced together the puzzle. According to Mr. Ballen, “Directly across the street was a steep hill descending into a dense thicket of brambles.”

Paulette’s body was discovered within the bramble thicket. “It’s highly probable that, during the intensive search for her, she was trapped down there,” he tragically noted.

“Confused and unable to call out or communicate with anyone, she remained there and, sadly, perished.”


🕐 Top News in the Last Hour By Importance Score

# Title 📊 i-Score
1 Astronomers discover strange solar system body dancing in sync with Neptune: 'Like finding a hidden rhythm in a song' 🟢 82 / 100
2 NASA’s supersonic X-59 jet that could slash NYC-London flight time in half taxis closer to take off 🔴 78 / 100
3 FBI personnel were told to flag Epstein files mentioning Trump, Senate Democrat says 🔴 78 / 100
4 ‘The ghost of Epstein is haunting Trump’s presidency’: inside the ‘Maga’ revolt 🔴 78 / 100
5 Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2025 🔴 75 / 100
6 ServiceNow’s acquisition of Moveworks is reportedly being reviewed over antitrust concerns 🔴 72 / 100
7 As the going gets tough in South Sudan, some artisans offer cheap footwear made from rubber tires 🔴 72 / 100
8 ‘Powerful’ Western on Netflix is a ‘masterpiece’ with 94% score 🔴 72 / 100
9 'The village will die' – Italy looks for answers to decline in number of babies 🔴 65 / 100
10 Is now the time to view luxury brands as cheap thrills? 🔴 65 / 100

View More Top News ➡️