OPP officers are investigating the discovery of an elderly woman's body in front of Maple Lane Public School in Tillsonburg.
Police say the woman was found by a school staff member around 6:25 a.m. on Friday. A walker was located a short distance away.
Oxford County OPP Const. Stacey Culbert says, "OPP, ambulance, emergency response teams attended the scene, located a female party that was deceased...the elderly female was transported to hospital and at this time it's under investigation."
Her name has not yet been releasd, but officials say she lived at Maple Lane Seniors' Residence, which is immediately north of the school.
That 60-unit building is operated by the Tillsonburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and while it is geared to those over the age of 60, it is not an assisted-living facility.
It was an emotional scene when the woman's daughter arrived just after 10 a.m. She could be heard saying, "I'm so sorry mom."
Foul play is not suspected and officers continue to investigate. Police say it is too early to say if the cold played a part in her death.
"It's too early in the investigation to say that, but the frigid temperatures ceratinly hit us here in Oxford County, continue on this morning even with the sun shining on us this morning, we're still having very, very cold temperatures," Culbert says.
The school remained open Friday, but police were liaising with officials to keep students in for recess as they completed their investigation and to ensure parents are informed that there was no risk.
"We have part of the driveway area sealed off, just for the purposes of our investigation, we anticipate when that investigation clears up before the end of school, normal activities will basically be able to continue."
Meanwhile police are remiding seniors and caregivers to take extra precautions amid the extreme temperatures.
