Body of elderly woman identified as a Tacoma resident

Officials from King County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office remove the body. - Leslie Brown/Staff Photo
Leslie Brown/Staff Photo
Officials from King County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office remove the body.

By LESLIE BROWN
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Editor
February 20, 2013 · Updated 1:59 PM 

The body found at Reddings Beach Monday afternoon was identified to be that of Martha Scharpf, an elderly woman who lived at an assisted living center in Tacoma.

Scharpf was last seen Friday evening walking near her home, the Atria Laurel House Assisted Living Community in North Tacoma, according to Sgt. Cindi West. Officials found a suicide note when they searched her room, West said.

A man and two children on a walk at Reddings Beach found Scharpf's clothed body among the driftwood and cobble early Monday afternoon.

Six officials from the sheriff’s office and the King County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene, a quiet stretch of beach between Paradise Cove and Lisabeula Park on Vashon's west side. A police boat from Tacoma patrolled the water.

Officials at the scene saw no signs of foul play, West said.

Contact Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Editor Leslie Brown at editor@vashonbeachcomber.com or 1-206-463-9195.

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