Remains of British woman, 79, missing for six weeks found in Cyprus

Bones and clothing were found in a riverbed in a rural area in the district of Paphos
Ann Naisbitt was reported missing from her home in Paphos, Cyprus, on April 3
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The body of a British pensioner who has been missing for more than six weeks has been found in Cyprus.

Ann Naisbitt, 79, disappeared after leaving her home in the city of Paphos at the beginning of April, and was reported missing by her worried family.

On Sunday, a skull was discovered in a remote spot between two rural villages outside the city. Further searches of a nearby riverbed have since uncovered bones and clothing.

Police said on Wednesday that DNA tests have confirmed the skull belongs to Ms Naisbitt.

“The skull was found in a rural area, between the villages of Koloni and Marathousta, in the district of Paphos, last Sunday, May 14,” said a statement by police.

“The discovery of the skull was followed by examinations, in the surrounding area, by members of the Police and Civil Defense, during which bones, clothes and other objects were found in the bed of an adjacent river.

“Naisbitt was reported to the police as a missing person on April 3, 2023, by her relatives.

“According to the complaint, around 10 am on the above date, she had left on foot from her home in Paphos and since then her traces had been lost.”

Ms Naisbitt lived in Paphos with her son, according to Cyprus Mail.

Family friend Jean Ivell reportedly told the news outlet that Ms Naisbitt suffered from dementia, and had gone missing on another recent occasion before being found by her son.

A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of British woman who died in Cyprus and are in contact with the local authorities.”