Vehicle of missing Westfield woman found in rural area, human remains discovered nearby
Police have confirmed a vehicle found recently in rural northwestern Tioga County belonged to a woman who vanished over the summer, triggering a massive search.
Pennsylvania State Police also confirmed skeletal remains were found in the vicinity and are being analyzed to determine the identification.
Phyllis Potter, 85, of Westfield, has been missing since July 21, according to state police at Mansfield, the lead agency in the search.
Family friend Penny Burnside, of Wellsboro, is among the volunteers who actively searched for Potter. She also manages a Facebook group sharing information about the search and encouraging people to get involved.
Burnside said Potter's white 2009 Subaru Outback was discovered along North Fork Road in Brookfield Township, northwest of Westfield.
The vehicle was off the road and concealed by apple trees, bushes and goldenrod, Burnside said.
"It was noticed by a gentleman who lived not far from that. He saw a flicker in the sun and decided he wanted to go check and see what it was," she said. "Normally with the rains, a lot of garbage gets flooded down through that little creek and he just wanted to make sure it wasn't something important."
In addition to multiple law enforcement agencies, hundreds of volunteers turned out to search the countryside for any signs of Potter or her vehicle over the past several months.
The outcome isn't what Burnside was hoping for, but she's grateful for all the work volunteers put in searching for Potter.
"The community is sad, and the community is also confused," Burnside said. "But I have grown to love the family and the searchers who have helped me, and I want everybody to know how important they have been throughout this whole process."
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A flyer shared in the Facebook group claims Potter had been staying with a friend in Potter Brook, which is just west of Westfield on state Route 49, the night before she went missing.
The friend heard Potter get up at 5 a.m. and leave without saying goodbye, according to the flyer, which also stated Potter had no cell phone, nor did she carry credit or debit cards.
The remains were transported to Lycoming County for an autopsy. State police said they would issue an updated news release once the investigation into Potter's disappearance is complete and identification is confirmed.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Vehicle of missing Tioga County, Pa. woman found, human remains nearby
