The search for a Cleveland, Georgia, woman missing since New Year’s Day ended tragically on Thursday when searchers found the body of Mattie Mizell. White County Coroner Ricky Barrett confirmed the 69-year-old’s death.
“We don’t know how long she was dead, cause of death or anything like that – we don’t know right yet,” Barrett told Now Habersham. He said he will confer with the State Medical Examiner’s office on Friday.
The Cleveland Police Department, which led the exhaustive six-day search for Mizell, released a statement late on January 6 saying her body was found that evening along the edge of a creek in a densely wooded area.
“Foul play is not suspected,” said Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker.
The discovery came on the heels of an exhaustive six-day search that began January first when Mizell, who had dementia, went for a walk and never returned home. She was captured on surveillance cameras and spotted by residents in several locations on New Year’s Day. The last known sighting of her was in the area of NOK Drive northeast of Cleveland.
Exhaustive search
Ground crews and tracking dogs spent days searching the outlying areas near where Mizell was seen. Search teams used drones and helicopters to check adjacent waterways and areas difficult to access by foot, officials said.
On Tuesday, Chief Shoemaker released a photo of a pickup truck seen on NOK Drive around the same time as Mizell. Officials were looking for the driver, hoping to speak with them to find out if they saw anything. As of Wednesday evening, police were still looking for that driver.
The search for Mizell gained statewide attention. News stations across Georgia covered the story and thousands of people shared social media posts and articles about the search for the missing woman. They shared the hope, too, that she would be found safe.
“We are heartbroken with the outcome of this case. It is not the outcome anyone in our community was hoping for,” said Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner. “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.”
As invested as the public was in this case, none were more invested than those public safety officials and volunteers who searched for Mattie Mizell. Personnel from multiple local and state agencies including the Cleveland Police Department, White County Public Safety Department, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, and Georgia Department of Defense were involved in the search. Barrett said they should be commended because they never gave up.
“Nobody stopped looking for her. They just kept on,” he told Now Habersham. “They had resources from everywhere looking for her and they stayed with it.”
“The police department would like to thank members of the community who assisted in the search,” Chief Shoemaker said. “We are all saddened by the outcome; our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mrs. Mizell.”
Mizell’s family has asked for the public to respect their privacy and will make no statements regarding the matter, the police chief said. He also said they will not be receiving visitors at this time, adding, anyone may contact the Cleveland Police Department at 706-348-7078.
This article has been updated with the latest information
