It took the American authorities nearly a week to find Alice, and then another four days to confirm her identity through DNA testing. The grave, as the officer referred to the shallow trough in the ground where Alice was found, was in the middle of a particularly dense part of the area, several metres away from the trail. Walkers, tourists, horse riders and beach- goers had all passed within a stone's throw of Alice, but not one had noticed her. It makes me sad and guilty that I was so close to her and never knew it.
The American authorities took almost a week to locate Alice, and it required an additional four days to establish her identity through DNA tests. The area where her body was discovered was described as a shallow grave, hidden in a dense section that was not far from popular trails. Despite the proximity, no pedestrians, including walkers and beach-goers, were aware of her presence.
This tragic situation evokes feelings of sadness and guilt for those who came so close to Alice without realizing it. The narrative highlights the tragic circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the oversight that allowed such a grave event to remain unnoticed for so long.
