Remains found are those of missing Colonie woman

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PEEBLES ISLAND STATE PARK

Remains found this morning near Waterford are those of a Colonie woman missing since Monday, police confirmed this afternoon.

An autopsy determined that Patrice M. Zimmerman, 59, died of asphyxia due to drowning. Toxicology tests are pending, but there is no indication of foul play, police said.

Police found Zimmerman’s body shortly after dawn this morning in shallow water off Peebles Island State Park, a short distance downstream from where police found Zimmerman’s car parked in Waterford.

A state police helicopter spotted Zimmerman’s body near the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers. State police divers recovered it by 9 a.m.

Zimmerman’s body had a cut to her face consistent with blood found in her house. The investigation remains open pending the toxicology results and further surveillance footage, police said.

Colonie police received the first missing-person’s report on Zimmerman on Monday morning. She lived in the Lakeridge Development off Watervliet Shaker Road.

Inside her home, police said they found a small amount of blood near the lower stairs in her basement. They said the blood was consistent with a fall, and other blood was consistent with the person walking up the stairs.

Police said they found no signs of forced entry and found the home locked when they arrived.

The first break came late Monday when Waterford police discovered Zimmerman’s car parked on Front Street, near the water. A resident alerted police to it after seeing it there all day.

Bloodhounds traced a scent to the water or along the water, according to Colonie police Lt. Robert Winn.

Police also are being aided in their investigation by surveillance video that showed the front of Zimmerman’s house and Front Street.

The house video showed Zimmerman’s car leaving her garage at about 4:35 a.m. Monday, and the Front Street video showed it passing that camera before 5 a.m. The time is consistent with the drive there from Zimmerman’s home.

Police also sought footage from a Peebles Island camera.