Body of missing 69-year-old White County resident found
Mattie Mizell (Cleveland Police Department)
CLEVELAND, Ga. - Police in northeast Georgia said the body of a missing 69-year-old White County woman last seen walking on New Year’s Day was found on Thursday. Her disappearance prompted a Mattie's Call, Georgia's emergency missing alert for disabled or elderly persons, but that has since been canceled.
Mattie Mizell was last seen around 2:40 p.m. Saturday in the area of White County Middle School walking in a northwestern direction, according to reports. Cleveland police said she left her home on White Street around 1 p.m.
After several active searches, her body was found along the edge of a creek in a densely wooded area on Thursday evening.
Her body has been turned over to the White County Coroner's Office. Foul play is not suspected.
Police had been searching for her using several resources including tracking dogs, air units, drones and foot searches by multiple city, county, and state agencies. Investigators also check surveillance video from several sources to try to track her movements.
"The police department would like to thank members of the community who assisted in the search. We are all saddened by the outcome; our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mrs. Mizell," said Chief Jeff Shoemaker.
"We are heartbroken with the outcome of this case. It is not the outcome anyone in our community was hoping for. On behalf of the City of Cleveland and our partners, I would like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Mizell family. This is an incredibly difficult time for Mrs. Mizell’s family and the community," said Mayor Josh Turner.
The family is asking for their privacy and have not made any formal statements.
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