Middleboro Missing Elderly Woman Found Deceased

UPDATE: A State Police K9 unit located Sperling in the woods in a shallow body of water on Thursday afternoon. Middleboro Police said foul play is not immediately suspected, but her death is under investigation by police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office.

"It's always a sad ending when a member of our community goes missing and does not survive, despite the best efforts of dozens of first responders," Police Chief Robert Ferreira said. "We extend our deepest condolences to the victim's family and loved ones during this difficult time and ask everyone to please respect their privacy while they grieve.”

MIDDLEBORO (WBSM) — Authorities in Middleboro are searching for an elderly woman who was reported missing earlier today.

According to Middleboro Police Chief Robert Ferreira and Fire Chief Owen Thompson, the woman – identified as Michelle Sperling, 83 – was last seen on Simmons Road at the Oak Point residential community at about 1:30 a.m. this morning.

Sperling was reported missing at around 8:46 a.m., when a neighbor requested a welfare check on her and police and firefighters discovered she was not at her home.

They determined she had last been seen at 1:30 a.m., and may be wearing a white jacket and dark-colored pants.

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Authorities are asking that residents and businesses in the area check footage from their security cameras as well as searching the inside of their sheds or outbuildings for Sperling.

However, they are asking that residents do not join in the physical search for Sperling “to ensure that K9 trackers and technological tools can do their work.”

The chiefs said the police and fire departments are being assisted by “several public safety assets, including drones, K9s, all-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles, from the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC), Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and the Department of Conservation & Recreation. The State Police Air Wing is also assisting.”

Anyone who believes they may have seen Sperling or may have information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Middleboro Police at (508) 947-1212.