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Coroner: Elderly Woman Drowned In Creek Near Longmont

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Investigators say an elderly woman with dementia drowned in a creek near Longmont after wandering away from her home.

The Boulder County coroner's office released its findings Tuesday in the death of 86-year-old Elaine Hjertman, whose body was found in Left Hand Creek on June 8.

The creek runs along the north side of the neighborhood where Hjertman lived, and there are several small reservoirs east of the neighborhood.

A helicopter pilot spotted the body less than a mile from Hjertman's home about four hours after she was reported missing. Her death has been ruled an accident.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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