WAIKIKI (KHON2) — An elderly woman was found dead in her apartment dumpster in Waikiki early Tuesday morning. Those who knew her say it’s hard to comprehend their loss when they spoke with her just hours before her body was found.

According to police, An 87-year-old man reported his 72-year-old fiancee was missing, just before midnight on Monday. He reportedly told police she had left their apartment on Kapahulu Avenue around 8 p.m. and had not returned.

“I knew the couple fairly well. They come here quite frequently from Canada. They vacationed a lot here. They were very cordial, very approachable. I just spoke to them a few days ago. His wife, I would always talk to her,” stated Mark Sammon, assistant property manager.

The Honolulu Police Department said the man called again shortly after 2 a.m. Responding officers checked the area and made a tragic discovery.

“[Her] body was found in the trash, the trash room, which we recently just did maintenance and electrical work,” Sammon said.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was found beneath the trash chute, according to Sammon. The couple lived on the 10th floor.

“I hope it wasn’t a crime,” stated Max Blencowe, building resident. “It’s just a sad situation overall. I definitely hear about crime happening in the nearby area, but as far as this apartment, nothing too crazy has happened here.”

The couple was regulars at a nearby restaurant. Workers told KHON2 the man had come in Monday night, asking for help looking for his fiancee.

“She would always come up and talk to people. You know, she’s very nice. She was, in my opinion, in good health,” Sammon said. “That’s all I try to do is remember the last good thing that I remember talking to her about.”

An investigation is ongoing and an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.