'Loving' Janitor Found Dead in Department Store Bathroom 4 Days After She Went Missing

Mar. 15, 2025

The search for a missing South Carolina mother Bessie Durham had a tragic end this week after she was found inside a department store bathroom four days after she died.

The 63-year-old was found dead inside a bathroom at a Belk Department Store in Columbiana Center on Monday, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said in a statement to PEOPLE. Durham was last seen on surveillance footage entering the bathroom four days earlier.

“As we grieve our loved one, we ask for your prayers and that you respect our privacy during this time,” he continued.

Fisher added that an autopsy on Sept. 22 found that Durham died of natural causes, and the results showed no indication of foul play.

The office will continue to investigate Durham’s death along with Columbia Police. The police department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Bessie Durham.

“KBS extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bessie Durham,” a company spokesperson told PEOPLE. “We have reached out to law enforcement to support their investigation and cooperate in any way we can. KBS is providing assistance and services to our other team members. We will have no further comment pending the results of any investigation in this matter.”

In a statement, Belk said it is looking into the “details” of the situation.

“At this time, we are working with KBS to determine the details around what happened,” the statement continued. “We have also made counselors available to Belk and KBS associates seeking support.”

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“She was a loving person,” neighbor Theresa Boston told theoutlet. “I hate that happened. She loved her kids, real bad. She got along with everybody, everybody loved her, everybody called her mama.”

Added friend Tiffany Thorpe onFacebook: “She was so sweet and will most definitely be missed.”

source: people.com