Missing Sacramento County Woman Found Dead

Carol Matsui

SACRAMENTO — Carol Matsui, 89, who was reported missing last week, has been found dead, according to her family.

Her son, Roger Matsui, told Fox 40 that her body was found Sunday evening in a canal near Iona Way and Elsie Avenue.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department said in its final update, “On Dec. 10, 2017, at 4:51 p.m. the Sheriff’s Department Communication Center received a call from a citizen who advised he had observed a body lying in a canal. Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 7800 block of Iona Way and confirmed there was a body located in a drainage canal.

“The deputies began their preliminary investigation and notified detectives in addition to crime scene investigators, who responded to the scene. The victim’s identity has been confirmed by the Sacramento County Coroner’s office.”

The department issued a Silver Alert for Carol Matsui, who was last seen leaving her home near the 7500 block of Sunnyside Way near Elk Grove-Florin Road in the Vintage Park neighborhood of Sacramento County, on Dec. 6 between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. The alert was shared on social media.

Matsui suffered from a medical condition and became disoriented easily. She wore a medical identification bracelet with emergency contact information.

The search focused on the area of Bond and Bradshaw roads in Elk Grove, where search dogs had picked up her scent. Searchers checked behind buildings and talked to homeless people.

While handing out flyers near Albiani Middle School, a possible witness reported seeing Matsui in the area on Thursday.

“Never give up,” her son said on Sunday. “Until the time comes, it comes. I’m just hoping on the positive side that I do find my mom.”

Matsui was the aunt of the late Rep. Robert Matsui, husband of Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento).