She walked out of her home in the middle of the night. Hours later, she was found in a park pond.

She walked out of her home in the middle of the night. Hours later, she was found in a park pond.

The body of 73-year-old Qinmei Lin was found in a Queens park pond just a half-mile from her Flushing home.

When a loved one with dementia slips out of the house in the dark, every second is a race against time. For one Queens family, that midnight walk ended in the worst way.

What Happened

Police found the body of 73-year-old Qinmei Lin in a pond at Bowne Park in Queens on Sunday evening.

A person walking through the park saw her body in the water near a fountain and called 911.

Lin had walked out of her Flushing home at 3:20 a.m. that morning. The park is only a half-mile away.

What the Evidence Shows

• 73: The age of Qinmei Lin, who had dementia.
• 3:20 a.m.: The time she was last seen leaving her home on Sunday.
• 15 hours: The time between her leaving and when she was found.
• 0.5 miles: The distance from her home to the park pond.
• 6:00 p.m.: The time emergency workers were called to the park.

The Bigger Question

This tragedy highlights a growing fear for many families. How do we keep our aging parents safe while letting them keep their freedom?

Many families cannot afford round-the-clock care. When a door clicks open in the middle of the night, we see how fragile our safety nets really are.

The Other Side

Police have not reported any signs of foul play. They are treating this as a tragic case of a frail senior getting lost.

This explanation seems to fit the facts, though a medical doctor will still check the body to find the cause of death.

What Happens Now

Neighbors in Flushing are mourning the loss of a member of their neighborhood. Local groups are reminding families about tracking devices made for people who wander.

These small tools can keep a short walk from turning into a disaster.

What We Still Don't Know

1. How did Lin manage to leave her home in the middle of the night without anyone hearing her?
2. Did any security cameras or witnesses spot her during her half-mile walk to the park?
3. What is the official cause of death determined by the doctor?