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Deputies: Missing British Tourist's Body Found

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 13, 2009

Updated: 03/13/2009 11:47 am

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Enid Grace Hendricks

RUSKIN - A British tourist who disappeared two days ago while visiting relatives in Ruskin was found dead along Interstate 75 this morning, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said.

Deputies said they are certain the body is that of Enid Grace Hendricks, 75. The body was wearing the same clothing that relatives said Hendricks had on when she went missing.

"We're waiting for the medical examiner to make a final confirmation on the identity, but it appears to be the lady we have been looking for," sheriff's Maj. John Marsicano said at a news conference.

The body was spotted by a sheriff's helicopter crew near mile marker 242 along southbound I-75, about four miles from where Hendricks was staying and about a half-mile from a tomato field where she was believed to have last been seen alive.

Hendricks, who was visiting Florida for the first time and was described as being in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, was the subject of a regionwide search.

She was reported missing about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday from the 2500 block of Yukon Cliff Drive. Robert Hendricks told investigators he heard a door open about 5:30 a.m. and discovered his wife was gone when he got up about 9 a.m.

The couple arrived Tuesday night from England.

Deputies went door-to-door and divers searched a pond for clues in the disappearance. The search extended north of the Ruskin area after Hendricks reportedly was spotted Wednesday in the tomato field and also around Sun Point Plaza.

On Thursday, Robert Hendricks and the couple's niece, Johannie Stanley, made a public appeal for help.

The family declined to comment today.

News Channel 8 reporter Natalie Shepherd contributed to this report. Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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