An elderly woman — who family members say had dementia — was found dead in a car parked on the West Philadelphia block where she lived, police said while noting they believe cold played a role in her death. Bessie Watson left her Georges Lane home in the Wynnefield neighborhood on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, Philadelphia police said. Her daughter last saw the 92-year-old around 2 p.m. Surveillance video showed Watson walking away from her home, but not returning, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. Just before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, police and medics responded to the same block where Watson lived for a call about a woman in the back of a parked car, Small said. Medics then pronounced Watson dead on location, Small said. She was wearing a winter coat when her body was found. The car Watson was found in belongs to a neighbor and the neighbor said she often leaves the car unlocked, Small said. Police believe that exposure to the cold — temps in Philadelphia have been below freezing for days — led to Watson’s death, Small said. However, the medical examiner would need to officially determine that from an autopsy. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox.