Two weeks after her partially nude and burned body was found in the woods of northern Habersham County, the investigation into the death of Debbie Collier appears to be narrowing. Law enforcement this week announced they have ruled out several possibilities in the Athens woman’s disappearance and death.
“At this time there is no evidence to suggest or support that this incident was related to a kidnapping or that this was a suicide,” says Habersham County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Murray Kogod.
The lack of evidence of a kidnapping cuts to the heart of the intrigue surrounding this case that has captured international attention.
Chilling message
On the day Debbie Collier disappeared, her daughter, Amanda Bearden, told police her mom sent her $2,385 through the payment app Venmo. Accompanying the payment was a message saying, “they are not going to let me go love you there is a key to the house in the blue flower pot by the door.”
Bearden said she tried calling her mom but couldn’t reach her. Approximately three hours later, Bearden and her stepfather reported Collier missing to Athens-Clarke County police. Both were at the scene when authorities removed Collier’s body from the woods on September 11. Investigators say police gave Bearden the location when the rented Chrysler Pacifica van Collier was driving pinged to a location off of GA 15/US 441 near Victory Home Lane.
Investigators have interviewed family members and executed search warrants. Evidence is being processed by the GBI Crime Lab. Collier’s autopsy results have not been released.
“Upon receiving results and reports from all submissions and subpoenaed records, sheriff’s office investigators look to identify persons of interest for further follow-up and interview,” Kogod says.
The chilling message Bearden received and the crime scene’s proximity to a heavily-trafficked highway contribute to the mystery surrounding this case.
Less than 24 hours
Bearden told police her mom left home on September 10 in the Pacifica with only her driver’s license and a debit card. She said her mom rented the vehicle after a wreck. It remains unclear when Collier left home. Her husband told police he saw her around 9 p.m. on September 9. Her vehicle was still parked in the driveway when he left for work the next day.
There are unconfirmed reports Debbie Collier was seen alive in Rabun County on September 10. Habersham County Deputy Coroner Ken Franklin confirms, though, that she died in Habersham.
Around 12:30 p.m. on September 11 the SiriusXM satellite service phoned Habersham County 911. The Sirius representative reported a vehicle tied to a missing person case in Athens that was believed to be in the area. Sirius pinged the vehicle to a location about two miles south of Tallulah Falls.
At the request of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, a Tallulah Falls police officer went to check on the vehicle. Officer Dakota Foster found the unlocked van parked and unoccupied on a pull-off leading to an old logging road. Foster told sheriff’s investigators he saw the same vehicle there around 5 p.m. on September 10. He said vehicles routinely pull into the area, explaining why, at the time, it did not raise any suspicions.
While investigators waited for a K9 unit to arrive, Bearden showed up at the scene. Investigators described her as being hysterical.
“Bearden advised Sgt. Neal and Foster that her mother did not have any history of any mental health issues, and denied any suicidal tendencies. She also stated that her mother had a bad back, and couldn’t have walked far,” the incident report states.
While searching the woods near where the vehicle was found, the Habersham County Sheriff’s K9 unit discovered a red tote bag on its side near an uprooted tree. At the root ball of the tree, officers observed what appeared to be the remains of a fire.
Searching down a nearby embankment, sheriff’s Sgt. Ethan Neal spotted a partially burned blue tarp. Farther down the embankment, he discovered the partially nude and burned body of the 59-year-old Collier. She was located about two-tenths of a mile from where her rented van was parked.
According to the incident report, Collier’s abdomen was charred. In her right hand, she was grasping a small tree.
Law enforcement found the Athens mother and real estate office manager dead less than 24 hours after she was reported missing.
The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information regarding the investigation to contact Investigator Cale Garrison at (706) 839-0559 or Investigator George Cason at (706) 839-0560.
