Alabama Woman Found Dead And Eaten By Dogs After Concerning Disappearance: ‘This Is The Most Horrifying Thing I’ve Ever Heard’

A quiet Alabama neighborhood was shaken by a shocking discovery that sounds straight out of a nightmare. Rita Thomas, a woman in her 60s from Remlap, was found dead inside her home after weeks of silence, and what authorities uncovered has left the small community stunned.

According to reports, deputies from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office were called to Thomas’ home on Tyler Road on Saturday, October 11, after neighbors grew increasingly worried. No one had heard from her in weeks, and her mailbox was overflowing, clear signs that something wasn’t right. When officers entered the house around 4 p.m., they were met with a scene so disturbing that it’s hard to even process.

Inside, they found that Thomas’ remains had been partially consumed by her own dogs, who were left trapped and starving for weeks. Her bones were scattered throughout the property, according to WBRC, and authorities believe her two dogs, along with a cat, had turned to the only available food source in a desperate attempt to survive. It’s the kind of grim reality that reminds us how tragic isolation can become, especially for older residents living alone in rural Alabama, per Suggest.

Alabama Woman’s Life Comes To Tragic End

Investigators estimate that Rita had been deceased for as long as seven to eight weeks before being found. Based on evidence at the scene, officials believe she likely suffered a medical emergency and passed away naturally. Sheriff Mark Moon later confirmed that there was no foul play involved and clarified that this was not a dog attack; rather, the animals’ heartbreaking actions came only after weeks of being left without food or help.

The details only grow more unsettling from there. Reports indicate that the dogs were wearing wireless perimeter collar devices that use GPS to keep pets within certain boundaries by emitting tones or vibrations if they stray too far. In this case, those collars essentially prevented them from escaping the property to look for food or water. Trapped and famished, their survival instincts took over.

Sadly, both dogs were later euthanized due to biohazard concerns, as animals that consume human remains can’t safely be placed in shelters. The family cat, also found in poor condition, malnourished and lethargic, was similarly euthanized. It’s a gut-wrenching outcome all around.

The Community Is Reeling

This horrifying discovery serves as a dark reminder of the importance of regular check-ins, especially for those living alone in rural communities like Remlap, Alabama. While authorities are still finalizing their investigation, Sheriff Moon emphasized that the incident was purely tragic and not criminal.

“This is the most horrifying thing I’ve ever heard,” one person commented online about the heartbreaking story.

For neighbors and loved ones in this quiet Alabama town, the story of Rita Thomas is one that will haunt them for years, a chilling mix of isolation, tragedy, and the heartbreaking instincts of survival that can emerge in the most desperate circumstances.