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Columbus woman with history of wandering dies after apparent drowning, coroner says

By Kelby Hutchison
A Columbus Police Department patrol car blocks an intersection in Columbus, Georgia as investigators process a crime scene.
A Columbus Police Department patrol car blocks an intersection in Columbus, Georgia as investigators process a crime scene. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com

A woman is dead after an apparent drowning Tuesday in Columbus, according to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.

Bryan identified the victim as Kumcha Stapleman, 77. Bryan said Stapleman had a history of wandering due to Alzheimer’s.

Bryan said she was found in a creek off Warm Springs Road and Schomburg Road.

Columbus Police Department public information officer Brittany Santiago said a death investigation is underway.

Santiago said Stapleman was part of Project Lifesaver, a program within CPD with a primary mission of helping individuals prone to wandering due to a cognitive condition, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia or autism.

Santiago said CPD used Project Lifesaver technology to locate Stapleman. She died while in transit to the hospital, according to Santiago.

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