MELBOURNE GRANDMOTHER JANET KNIGHT FOUND DEAD AFTER DISAPPEARING DURING MORNING WALK

The 73-year-old was reported missing after leaving home without her phone, wallet or Fitbit. Her body was later discovered in waters in Avondale Heights, bringing a heartbreaking end to a search that had raised serious concerns for her safety.

The search for a missing Melbourne grandmother has ended in tragedy after police confirmed that Janet Knight, 73, was found dead days after disappearing during her regular morning walk.

Knight, who lived in Keilor East, was reported missing on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after leaving home early that morning. Her disappearance prompted an extensive search involving police and worried family members, who feared for her safety because she was living with dementia and had gone out in cold, wet weather.

Victoria Police later confirmed that a body discovered in waters near Riviera Road in Avondale Heights on Wednesday afternoon had been identified as Knight’s.

Police said her death was not being treated as suspicious. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the precise circumstances surrounding her death.

A MORNING WALK THAT NEVER ENDED

CCTV footage showed Knight leaving her home on Steele Creek Drive at approximately 6:57 a.m. on Sunday. She was later seen walking along Hoffmans Road towards Keilor Road in Niddrie at around 7:38 a.m.

The location where she was last captured on CCTV was about an hour’s walk from the area where her body was eventually found, according to 7NEWS.

Her disappearance quickly became a source of deep concern because she had left behind several belongings she would normally take with her.

Her phone, wallet and Fitbit were not with her, a departure from her usual routine that alarmed her family. Although Knight was known for being physically active and regularly walking around her local area, relatives said her disappearance was completely out of character.

FAMILY’S FEARS GREW AS THE SEARCH CONTINUED

Knight’s family had appealed publicly for help, hoping someone might recognise her or provide information about where she had gone.

Her daughter, Nicole, said her mother had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of dementia. The condition had affected Knight’s ability to communicate, although her memory had not been as severely affected, according to her daughter.

Walking remained one of Knight’s favourite activities, and she was familiar with the local area. However, her family was particularly worried because she had gone out without her usual belongings and did not return home.

The cold and wet weather also heightened concerns about her welfare. Police had expressed fears about conditions around local walking tracks, including areas near Steele Creek and the Maribyrnong River, where flooding could pose additional risks.

During the search, Knight’s family shared an emotional plea asking her to seek help from anyone she encountered. They wanted her to know that her children, grandchildren and loved ones were waiting for her and wanted her home safely.

POLICE CONFIRM IDENTIFICATION

After several days of searching, police located a body in waters off Riviera Road in Avondale Heights on Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities subsequently confirmed the identity as Janet Knight and conveyed their sympathies to her family.

Police have said the death is not being treated as suspicious. No further details establishing exactly what happened during Knight’s final hours have been publicly confirmed in the available reporting.

Her death brings a tragic end to a search that had united family members, police and members of the public in the hope of finding her alive.

A FAMILY LEFT TO GRIEVE

For Knight’s loved ones, the search had been marked by uncertainty and the desperate hope that she would be found safe.

Her disappearance also highlights the concerns families can face when an older relative living with dementia goes missing, particularly when familiar routines are disrupted and weather conditions create additional risks.

As the family grieves, the focus remains on remembering Knight and respecting the privacy of those closest to her during an extremely difficult time.

Source: 7NEWS Australia; Victoria Police.

This article is based on publicly reported information available on October 28, 2026. The precise circumstances of Knight’s death have not been established in the cited reports.