A Stuart woman reported missing Wednesday morning was found deceased later that evening, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.
Jeanette Moxley, 72, left her residence on Salem Highway on foot earlier Wednesday and had not returned, Smith said. A call was made to the Patrick County 911 Communications Center at approximately 10 a.m. from the residence at 128 Salem Highway.
Smith said Moxley had serious underlying health issues.
Deputies immediately began searching for Moxley. Volunteers and public safety agencies from Patrick and Stokes counties assisted with the search, while the Virginia Department of Emergency Management was called in to help coordinate the effort.
“Sadly, just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Ms. Moxley was found deceased approximately three-tenths of a mile from where she was last seen,” Smith said in a Thursday news release.
Smith said the investigation remains active and no further details would be released at this time.
Lts. Steve Austin and Oscar Tejeda and Investigator Dustin Dillon are leading the investigation. The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the state medical examiner’s office also are assisting, Smith said.
Smith expressed his gratitude to the volunteers and supporting agencies who assisted in locating Moxley in nearly 100-degree temperatures.
