Missing Helping Hand North Adelaide resident Anne Gibson found dead in backyard swimming pool

The body of a dementia patient who went missing from an aged care facility has been found in a swimming pool at a nearby home.

The Molesworth St entrance to Helping Hand's North Adelaide care home. Picture: Tom Huntley.

One of the state’s leading aged care homes was at the centre of a police investigation on Wednesday after an elderly female dementia patient was found drowned in a nearby residential swimming pool.

Authorities launched a large-scale search after Anne Gibson, 78, was reported missing from Helping Hand’s North Adelaide-based nursing home on Tuesday night. But a neighbour discovered her body almost 12 hours later after a search involving police – including uniform officers, the elite STAR Group division and horse patrols – as well as SES volunteers.

Dementia patient Anne Gibson, who was found drowned in a North Adelaide swimming pool. Picture: SA Police

The Advertiser revealed how a fence opening allowed her access to the retired man’s backyard and pool, which is bordered by a large brick wall and hedge.

Eastern Adelaide detectives were last night investigating how Ms Gibson, pictured, disappeared from the secure 32 bedroom Buxton St facility just after 10.30pm on Tuesday.

They are also reviewing CCTV footage as they prepare a report for the State Coroner.

The Molesworth St homeowner, who lives a short distance from the care home, told The Advertiser of his distress after he found Ms Gibson’s body in his swimming pool just before 8.40am Wednesday.

“When I went out the back I saw a body in our pool, it was clearly deceased,” said the man, who declined to be named. “For that moment it was a shock, my first concern was it might by my wife. There was police vehicles in the street already so I ran down there and reported (it).

“We know there are a lot of residents (at Helping Hand) and there’s family coming to visit all the time. Our concern and best wishes to them.” He declined to comment further.

Detectives had interviewed him but police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Helping Hand chief executive Chris Steward said its 156 residents’ wellbeing and safety “is at the heart of our organisation”. Counselling is being offered and care home officials are co-operating with police.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our resident, Ms Anne Gibson,” he said.

“Our residents, staff and management are deeply shocked and distressed by this tragic event and we are providing support to them as needed.”

Helping Hand operates nine homes in South Australia since its launch in 1953. The not-for-profit employs 1550 staff and 370 volunteers. Its five-year accreditation is due to be reviewed next year after the Federal Government’s care watchdog passed it on each of its 44 criteria in 2015.

It has also passed yearly unannounced spot checks.