Exclusive: Tragic Cove pensioner may have been dead in home for 12 years

A pensioner whose body was found in an Aberdeen home may have been dead for 12 years, the Evening Express can reveal today.

The body of an elderly woman – named locally as Christina Malley – was found at a property in Cove’s Allison Close, where she lived with her husband.

Last week the Evening Express revealed how her death was only discovered when she failed to turn up for a Covid-19 vaccination appointment.

When asked where she was the woman’s husband said she was abroad.

Tests are continuing to establish when Mrs Malley passed away, however the Evening Express understands she could be been there for 12 years.

Police Scotland are currently treating the death as “unexplained” and forensics experts have carried out a thorough examination of the property where Mrs Malley’s body was discovered on Thursday February 25.

The case has been described as “heartbreaking” by local and national politicians and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has backed calls for a nationwide loneliness campaign.

Police Scotland tonight said the investigation was continuing into the death.

A spokeswoman said: “Officers were called to an address in Allison Close, Aberdeen, on Thursday, 25 February 2021 after the body of a woman was found within. The death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

In Holyrood, north-east MSP Liam Kerr highlighted Mrs Malley’s death and asked Ms Sturgeon when a national loneliness campaign would be introduced to “try to ensure that what we heard about in Aberdeen might never be repeated”.

She said: “Loneliness, which was already an issue before the pandemic, has undoubtedly been exacerbated.

“And as we do that I think a loneliness or tackling loneliness awareness campaign will be part of what we do.”

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said isolation among older people was a growing issue with tens of thousands of people going days or even weeks without a friendly call or visit.

He said: “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, especially with Covid-19 restrictions in place. But we can all help to look out for older people in our communities. Simply taking the time to get to know your neighbours, or having a friendly call or blether on the doorstep could make a huge difference to someone who is feeling isolated.

“If you’re concerned or haven’t seen someone for a while, then we would encourage you to check they are doing OK and ask if they need any help. Any older person can also call our free helpline for advice, information, or a chat on 0800 12 44 222.”