Dallas County authorities said they have identified the body of Virginia Colee, an 85-year-old missing woman.

Dallas County Chief Deputy Randy Pugh confirmed that a badly decomposed body found by state highway maintenance workers is that of the woman who was last seen leaving the Wal-Mart in Selma more than five weeks ago.

Authorities were on the site shortly after noon Friday. Details were sketchy from those investigating the scene at the intersection of Alabama Highway 183 and 219 in Perry County.

The sheriff’s department had searched for nearly a month by air and ground, using deputies, Alabama State Troopers and Civil Air Patrol resources as well as volunteers.

Colee’s disappearance is one of the longest many deputies can recall.

The Selma woman left Wal-Mart on Sept. 10 in her 1990 red Oldsmobile Delta 88. Authorities watched security tapes from Wal-Mart, but found nothing to suggest foul play.