Deputies find body of elderly woman in Hernando County

ROYAL HIGHLANDS -- The body of an elderly woman was discovered about 8 p.m. Wednesday in a wooded area of Hernando County.

Responding to a call reporting the remains, Hernando sheriff's deputies found the body about 30 feet away from Atlanta Avenue, west of U.S. 19 north of Weeki Wachee. Deputies think the woman had been dead for more than 24 hours, but not much longer. "This is not a skeleton remains situation," a press release read. "This is a recent death."

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office contacted the Hernando Sheriff's Office, informing them that the body fit the description of a missing woman from Citrus. The missing woman was classified as an endangered adult, meaning she was dependent on others and in need of care.

The two organizations are working together on the investigation. Keep checking This Just In for more details as they become available.

-- Michael Sanserino, Times staff writer