Disappearance of Bronx nurse, 69, considered suspicious

CLAREMONT, Bronx (WABC) -- Authorities are investigating the disappearance of a 69-year-old nurse from her Bronx apartment that is considered suspicious.

Detectives are looking to talk to the 42-year-old nephew of Patricia Myers, who recently moved in with her after he was released from jail.

The nephew told another family member that "he did something bad," according to investigators.

He has 11 prior arrests and is on parole for burglary.

NYPD investigators descended on Myers' Grand Concourse apartment building Wednesday. Police say the 5'4", 98 pound woman was last seen about 3 p.m. last Wednesday at her second-floor apartment.

"I'm worried about her because I've known her for years but not personal, too much. But I don't believe she just walked away," said neighbor Fronie Powell.

Detectives Wednesday carefully examined the building's security camera video for images of not only Myers, but also her nephew.

He moved in last Tuesday, according to 27-year tenant George Byers. He watched as the nephew knocked on his aunt's second-floor apartment door for about 30 minutes.

She finally answered and forced him to wait even longer.

"She said give me a half an hour. She got herself together. He was still there. I was watching him because I don't know him. And she finally came to the door. She said, 'where's your mother?' 'Oh she didn't come, she told me to come,", said Byers.

Police say Myers suffers from COPD and needed constant oxygen. But when investigators entered her home, the oxygen tank was there, but she wasn't.

Myers last spoke to her sister on April 17.

The sister has been trying to contact her since then, with no success.

She called her April 27 and got no response. She tried again Saturday, and was told by neighbors that Myers went to lincoln Hospital for her ongoing medical condition.

The sister was unable to locate Myers in the hospital, and reported her missing to the NYPD Tuesday.

Detectives have searched the woman's apartment, where a cadaver dog indicated a positive hit for blood.

Neighbors described the former nurse as a fiercely independent woman who lived alone until last week.

"I've seen her around. When my baby was here last year, she used to come and bring me some clothes for me and baby, some toys. But that's about it," said neighbor Madeline Susco.

('Did she have her oxygen?') Yes, she always had her little oxygen mask," she said.