A Saskatoon woman missing for nine-and-a-half years has been declared legally dead.

Antonie Anne Medzech was dropped off at the Midtown Plaza by her son in December 2002 -- the 67-year-old was never seen or heard from again.

An exhaustive police investigation failed to turn up any information.

The family has asked for the declaration in order to deal with her estate. This is a first for Saskatchewan.

"While I could not locate any Saskatchewan cases on point, a handful from other provinces were of assistance," said Justice Richard Danyliuk, in his decision posted online.

Most of the cases Danyliuk cited in his eight page decision used the date the missing person was last seen as the date they had died.

"Medzech has been missing since December 13, 2002. There is no evidence to indicate she lived to the current date, even past the date of disappearance," Danyliuk said.

Gordon Medzech applied for the status. He is the sole beneficiary of his mother's estate.

awills@rawlco.com

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