A missing Georgia mom was found dead and was discovered partially burned, stripped naked, and “grasping a small tree.”
Debbie Collier, 59, was found Sunday, Sept. 11 in a ravine, after investigators discovered her rented 2022 Chrysler Pacifica pulled over nearby on Georgia 15 northbound in the city of Clarkesville. Authorities have released footage of her shopping at a Family Dollar several miles away. Collier was last seen purchasing a refillable torch lighter and a tarp. She left the store at 3:09 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Investigators said that it would take “significantly longer” to solve the crime due to the complexities of the case.
According to investigators, a photo was released from a camera. Collier was seen driving northbound on GA-15, which was right near the crime scene. The tarp and tote bag were found near her body, with the tarp partially burned. The store is about 13 miles from where investigators say they found her body.
Collier’s body was found naked and partially burnt down an embankment near Tallulah Gorge, according to investigators. The cause of death is still being determined and was not released on Friday.
“As he looked further down the embankment from the tarp, he observed a nude female laying on her back, grasping a small tree with her right hand,” investigators wrote. “SGT. NEAL approached the female, immediately observing her to be obviously deceased, and identifying her as COLLIER. SGT. NEAL observed COLLIER`S remains to be apparently burned with what appeared to be charring to her abdomen.”
The day the Athens mother and realty office manager went missing, her daughter, 36-year-old Amanda Bearden, told police that her mother sent nearly $2,400 to her through Venmo, along with a message saying, “They are not going to let me go, love you.”
Collier’s daughter Amanda Bearden previously arrived on the scene “in a hysterical state.”
“BEARDEN began screaming that the vehicle belonged to her mother,” authorities wrote. “(BEARDEN was notified by Athens-Clarke County PD that the vehicle was being pinged by Sirius XM and provided her with the approximate location of the latest ping.) SGT. NEAL and FOSTER spoke briefly with BEARDEN asking general questions in reference to COLLIER`S mental health state, and briefly about her medical history. 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.”
Deputies said they have not confirmed that this message came from Collier, but they have the mother’s phone.
Source: AWM