WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A 93-year-old woman was found unresponsive in a snow-covered area outside Bickford’s Health Care Center early Monday morning and later pronounced dead.
Staff at the facility discovered the resident was missing from her bed at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2026, according to the Windsor Locks Police Department.
The woman was known to wander at times due to her mental status, police said.
Staff immediately began searching for her after discovering she was not in her room.
The resident was equipped with an alert device designed to activate when she exits a facility doorway without authorization or supervision.
Police are investigating whether the device functioned properly.
Staff found the woman lying unresponsive in a snow-covered area just south of the facility.
Staff said she had a pulse at the time and placed her in a wheelchair to move her back inside, where they began treatment.
Police and emergency medical services were called at 6:23 a.m.
The woman was pronounced dead at 6:46 a.m. by on-scene paramedics.
The cause of death is currently undetermined due to various factors including her age, extreme cold weather and overall medical health condition, police said.
The Medical Examiner took custody of the deceased for further examination.
Windsor Locks Police Department detectives are investigating.
Relatives have been notified and state agencies related to health care facility operations will be notified, police said.
