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Police alerted the public about a senior with a history of depression went missing after a doctor's appointment.

72-year-old Wyona Hobart was last seen at University of Alberta Hospital during the afternoon of December 28th, 2007.

Chuck Hobart, Wyona's husband and a retired University of Alberta sociology professor, told the Edmonton Sun his wife had been treated for depression in the past. She had another serious bout six weeks before her disappearance.

"She had another appointment with the psychiatrist at the hospital. After the appointment she disappeared," he said.

Chuck said he went to the hospital at about 1:00 p.m. to pick her up but she was gone. The appointment finished earlier than he expected.

The family quickly reported Wyn – her nickname – missing to police. Soon Michael Hobart and his sister Rebecca Yakimchuk began the task of making the public aware of their mother's disappearance through media appearances and the placing of posters in the area where she was last seen.

"This is very uncharacteristic of her. She's never disappeared before, never gone missing – I can't believe this has happened," said Rebecca.

"I remember in the past other times when you see missing people on television, and I remember having conversations with her about how awful it must be for the family – so I'm very surprised."

Police and fire rescue search crews combed the University area and the North Saskatchewan River valley. "No news is good news. Their search came up negative and there was no sign of her," said Det. Adrian Marr.

Investigators were monitoring financial records for transactions, but there has been no sign of the senior.

Police asked people living near the University to check their property for the missing woman. They added that it was possible she may have headed towards Cochrane and Calgary where some of her relatives live.

"I appreciate what the police and the volunteer search group have done," Chuck said. "I want to thank the volunteers, who have donated their time and have worked diligently in the cold finding my wife."

Wyona was described as 5-feet 10-inches with a thin build, dyed brown hair and wearing glasses.

She was last seen wearing a brown calf-length jacket with sheepskin collar, brown mid-calf boots (like those pictured above) and a black purse. A larger image of the woman can be seen here.

On January 2nd, 2008 police updated media with news of their investigation.

Ground search efforts were completed in the University area including the Kinsmen, Emily Murphy and Laurier parks. Officers also notified Greyhound, city cab companies and Edmonton Transit. So far there were no sightings of Hobart.

Relatives also said Hobart may return to an area near Cochrane outside a place called Ghostriver and a small town near Cardston called Glenwood.

On April 12th, 2008 police investigated the discovery of a woman's body found in the river valley.

"At this point we're not ruling anything out but there's no obvious signs of foul play at this time," police Sgt. Jason Altmiks said.

The body was found near the High Level Bridge below Saskatchewan Drive. Altmiks said woman had extra clothes beside her.

"We're not sure but there's some indication that it potentially could be someone without a home."

Homeless people often take refuge in the river valley, Altmiks added. "It's a place where often times they aren't disturbed."

Kevin Perott, a nearby resident, told media he often sees transients below the High Level Bridge next the University of Alberta campus.

"It's kind of depressing to see that people are actually living in these kinds of conditions when there's just so much available for others."

Perott said the only noise he heard overnight was from a party at Hub Mall. "I don't know whether that had anything to do with it, but it's possible."

Without official notification from authorities, the woman was identified as Wyona Hobart.

Chuck Hobart identified the woman found during an interview with the Edmonton Sun on April 13th, 2008.

Hobart told the Sun that not enough was done to prevent the death of his wife.

"The psychiatrist did not practice due diligence and it cost my wife her life. And it cost me my life, too," he said.

Hobart said he had already filed a complaint against the hospital. A Capital Health spokesman couldn’t comment on the issue, citing privacy concerns.

Hobart hoped that by speaking out about the incident similar tragedies could be prevented.

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