Police in Gary, Indiana, announced a body had been found Sunday afternoon, prompting some to wonder if the discovery was connected to the search for a missing mother, Ariana Taylor.
In a strange turn of events, police later said the body was actually a life-size doll.
At approximately 4:40 p.m., Gary police officers were called to the area of 15th Avenue and Lake Street for what was "believed to be a body in the grassy area," authorities said in a news release. Upon arrival, police stated officers discovered a body, however said identification wasn’t able to be made at the time.
Approximately two hours later, Gary police revealed the body was determined to be a life-size silicone/rubber-type doll once it was uncovered.
The discovery was made a few miles away from where the vehicle of Ariana Taylor was found a week earlier.
Last week, Taylor's mother reported her missing after the SUV she was believed to have been driving was recovered after having crashed down an embankment along Interstate 65 near the border of Lake Station and Gary.
Queena Taylor, Ariana's mother, said she learned a body had been discovered Sunday after seeing reports on social media. So, she headed to the location.
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"...I wanted to confirm and check and see who it is," she said. "I still believe she’s alive, so that's what I'm going with until further notice.”
Family members say Ariana's wallet, cell phone and keys were missing. They also say some of her bloody clothes were found several feet away from the crash scene, along with a piece of her jewelry.
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Gary police searched the area surrounding the scene with dogs and a helicopter, but haven't found any signs of Ariana. Many others have been helping Ariana's family in their search, including Kevin Collins and his bodyguard company.
"Spread her picture, you know, stop at the businesses. You know, just that, you know?," he said. "Pretty much, that could help us out.”
Queena Taylor previously told NBC 5 she believes foul play is involved in her daughter’s mysterious disappearance.
Sunday's discovery gave Queena hope for a positive outcome.
"...We're gonna continue our search, and we're gonna continue making flyers and letting the communities know all over," she said.
