Elizabeth Pollard, a 64-year-old Pennsylvania grandmother, met a tragic end when she fell into a 30-foot sinkhole over a week ago. Her family now shares the story of her life and the events that led to her disappearance and ultimate fate.

Unraveling the Mystery of Elizabeth Pollard's Sinkhole Tragedy

Section 1: Elizabeth's Love for Her Granddaughter

Elizabeth's granddaughter was the center of her world. As Tabitha Pollard, her niece, told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Wherever she was, her granddaughter was with her." This past January, she lost her son Brandon, 28, but found solace in caring for her little one. Axel Hayes, Elizabeth's son and Brandon's twin brother, also attested to her always being a happy person until that fateful day.Even in the midst of her own grief over the loss of her son, Elizabeth's love for her granddaughter shone through. It was a source of comfort during a difficult time.

Section 2: The Disappearance and Search

Pollard disappeared while looking for her cat on Dec. 2. A relative reported her missing the following day. She had set off hours earlier in her car with her granddaughter, who was later found safe and asleep inside. The vehicle was parked near a giant sinkhole, leading responders to suspect she may have fallen in.A multi-day search by excavators and rescue teams ensued. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said that their efforts initially focused on finding her, but then turned into a recovery effort. It was a tense and heart-wrenching time for her family and the community.

Section 3: The Discovery and Autopsy

Two days after the search began, authorities announced the discovery of Pollard's body. Officials believe she fell through a sinkhole that unexpectedly opened in the ground and then dropped into an abandoned mine below. In a phone conversation with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Dec. 10, Westmoreland County coroner Tim Carson confirmed that, based on a preliminary autopsy, she sustained blunt force trauma to the head and torso. It is still uncertain if she died instantly. Toxicology results were not completed yet, and a final autopsy is expected in about 4-6 weeks.This discovery brought a sense of closure, yet also deepened the pain of her family. They are now waiting for the final autopsy results to gain a more complete understanding of what happened.

Section 4: Elizabeth's Work and Community

In a GoFundMe established on behalf of Pollard's family, organizer Stacey Reid-Donahue shared her memories of working with Elizabeth at a Walmart in Greenburg, Penn., from 1993 to 1999. "Our Walmart family/friends are asking for support for Liz's family," Reid-Donahue wrote. "All who know Liz know how wonderful, selfless, caring and beautiful she is. She would give her shirt off her back for someone else in need. She loved working in retail and was devoted to her job, her husband and family."Elizabeth's work and community connections showed another side of her life, highlighting her kind and generous nature.