The prolonged search for a Kentucky grandmother who had been missing ended in tragedy when officers found her body at what appeared to be a homeless encampment in Covington.
Authorities found Carol Groves, 65, deceased on March 28, 2026, in a wooded area on the 800 block of Crescent Avenue east of Devou Park, according to the Covington Police Department. Police responded around 7 p.m. after reports of human remains and discovered a badly decomposed body later identified as the woman who had been missing since late December.
Tyler Carroll, Groves’s son, said her remains were found inside a tire at what looked like a homeless encampment. The site was near the 12th Street bridge, an area where his mother often stayed. Officials told the family she had been deceased for a lengthy period before being located.
The discovery brought a sorrowful end to a search by relatives who had spent the winter hoping she would be found alive. Groves was first reported missing on December 20, 2025, after she stopped contacting her children—behavior that was unlike her usual pattern.
Police initially listed Groves as missing on December 20, 2025. They described her as 5 feet 4 inches tall and about 120 pounds. Her last reported appearance was in pajama pants and pink Crocs, wrapped in a blanket, near John Street in Covington.
Carroll told Fox affiliate WXIX-TV that his mother had chosen to live without stable housing and struggled with substance use. Although she would often disappear for several days, she normally kept in touch with her children—until December.
As days turned into weeks without word from Groves, the family’s concern grew. They filed a missing-person report just before Christmas, launching a search that continued through the harsh Northern Kentucky winter. The 65-year-old had endured severe cold while living outdoors, making the search increasingly urgent as time passed.
Despite the tragic outcome, Carroll said he felt some relief to finally know what happened to his mother after months of uncertainty. He told WXIX that after five months he feared the worst, but having certainty allows the family to begin grieving.
Initial autopsy results released March 30 by the Covington Police Department indicated the death does not appear suspicious. Captain Justin Bradbury confirmed the investigation is ongoing but said there is no current indication of criminal activity. The medical examiner will determine and release the official cause of death when the report is complete.
Family members remembered Groves as someone who lived on her own terms despite facing major personal challenges. Her ex-husband Brad Carroll told NBC affiliate WLWT-TV that she should be remembered for her generosity, warmth and vibrant spirit, noting she was a talented dancer who could light up a dance floor.
The family held a small memorial after the discovery to honor Groves, emphasizing that her struggles with addiction did not diminish the love they had for her. They have set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses as they make arrangements.
The Covington Police Department’s Evidence Collection Unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Groves’s death. Investigators are asking anyone with information about her whereabouts from late December through late March to contact police at 859-292-2234 or Cincinnati/NKY Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
The case underscores the dangers faced by vulnerable people dealing with substance use and homelessness, particularly during severe winter weather. Although Groves had opted to live without stable shelter, her family stressed that she was deeply loved and maintained meaningful relationships with her children for most of her life.