A relative of a Hungarian woman found dead under a Pittsburgh bridge yesterday believes problems with depression contributed to her death.
"I believe something happened with her mind," said Elizabeth Konecsni, sister of Ancsa Konya, 57, who was found dead beneath the Birmingham Bridge.
A passer-by who frequents the area found Konya's body and called 911 about 6 p.m.
Konya disappeared early yesterday from Konecsni's Wrights Way home in the South Side, police said. She knew no English and had no money or car when she disappeared, Konecsni said.
Konya planned to stay in Pittsburgh about two months visiting relatives, Konecsni said.
For much of the day, police said, officers searched the area in and around Konecsni's home, while River Rescue searched the Monongahela River and a bloodhound was called out for tracking.
"She has had a depression problem before, and we knew that," Konecsni said while relatives and police were still searching. "But I never thought she'd do something like walk out."
Detective William Fisher said the body showed no sign of trauma. Police don't know the exact cause of death but don't suspect foul play.
Konya was happy on her first day here, calling her four sons in Hungary to update them up on her trip, Konecsni said.
Police said a woman who frequents the area and delivers food to the homeless found the body along South 22nd Street near railroad tracks under the Birmingham Bridge. The location is a few blocks from the Konecsni home.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has scheduled an autopsy today.
Konecsni said she plans to have her sister's body cremated and the ashes sent back to Hungary.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Pittsburgh homicide squad at 412-323-7161.
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