The Woman in Black

[American Patriot]

Walking 'Woman in Black' wants privacy, police protection: Sad story behind her somber journey


She is known as the mysterious “Woman in Black.” But there is a sad and surprising story behind the woman's dark and seemingly aimless walk: She's an Army veteran. (screen shot)

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By John Luciew | jluciew@pennlive.com
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on July 31, 2014 at 8:01 AM

She has caused a stir on the Internet, social media and nearly every town or roadside where she has traveled. She is known as the mysterious "Woman in Black."


But after causing a scene this week in Winchester, Va., the woman is asking for her privacy and is receiving police protection.


According to the New York Daily News, police in Winchester were called to a location in the city at 9 p.m. Tuesday after about 50 people gathered near a bank in this area to see the woman.



Journey’s End? The woman is identified as Elizabeth Poles, 56, of Motts, Ala. However, the woman told police she is originally from Winchester, Va., and intends on staying in the area.screen shot


Officers removed her from the location for her safety and she was brought to an undisclosed location and given food and shelter, the department said in a statement quoted by the Daily News.


The newspaper identified the woman as Elizabeth Poles, 56, of Motts, Ala., citing family members they interviewed.


However, the woman told police she is originally from Winchester and intends on staying in the area, the newspaper reported.


"The Winchester Police Department wants local residents to know that she will be part of the community and to respect her privacy if you see her in the area," the police statement said. "She has expressed to officers that she wants to be left alone and is asking that the public respect her wishes."


There is a sad and surprising story behind the woman's dark and seemingly aimless walk, which has been captured on Facebook and cable news.


The Daily News reports that her brother Raymond Poles said Motts is a U.S. Army veteran, and mother-of-two whose husband died in 2008 and father, who raised her in Winchester, passed away a year later.


She had been receiving treatment from Veterans Affairs hospitals to deal with her loss after moving to Alabama to be with her brother, the newspaper wrote.


"For the first few months, she was doing great," the brother told ABC News. "Then one Sunday, when my wife and I picked her up, she shaved her head. She was asking me, 'Where can I buy those long black robes?'"


It was then that she lit off for Virginia on foot, causing quite a stir and spawning a social media sensation along the way.


A Facebook page tracking her received more than 50,000 likes and listed sighting in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia, the Daily News reports.

[American Patriot]

7:23am, Thu 31 Jul 2014 'Woman in Black's' mysterious journey comes to an end

Last updated Thu 31 Jul 2014

• World
• USA

A woman wearing black robes who has been walking across America has ended her journey - but the reason behind her trip remains a mystery, NBC News reports.

The reason behind the 'Woman in Black's' journey remains a mystery. Credit: Where is the Mysterious Woman in Black?/Facebook

The woman was reportedly spotted in US states Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia, where her journey finished. She arrived in Winchester yesterday and police decided to escort her to an unknown location after dozens of fans were waiting for her.
Police told News4 the woman wants to remain in the city and be part of the community but now wants to be left alone.
The reason for her trip is still unknown although police reportedly said her journey was related to faith and religion.
Earlier this week, a man called Raymond Poles told Reuters he was the woman's brother and claimed the woman in black was Elizabeth Potts - a 54-year-old army veteran, mother-of-two and widow.