By By Paul Keane
Publisher
Investigators are searching for a missing woman from the Poarch community, and foul play is suspected in the incident.
Investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the State Department of Forensics are all investigating the disappearance of Melinda Wall McGhee. The 31-year-old from the Poarch community is described as a white female, 5-foot-4, 130 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
According to Chief Deputy Major Mike Murphy, deputies were called to the scene on Kent Road at 3:59 p.m. Monday. Murphy said details from the scene and the investigation could not be released.
"I can't comment on the initial stages of investigation," he said.
Murphy said investigators from the Department of Forensics arrived on the scene Tuesday morning to conduct their tests and gather evidence.
Various reports were being heard throughout the community Tuesday morning, but none could be confirmed. Investigators would only say that foul play is suspected at this time.
Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith is asking for assistance from the public in locating McGhee.
"Melinda is missing, and we are in the early stages of the investigation," Smith said.
Anyone who has seen McGhee or knows of her whereabouts is encouraged to call the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at (251) 809-0741.