By Staff
Speculation that a body recovered in Andalusia was related to the disappearance of Melinda Wall McGhee has proven unfounded.
That speculation was spurred by the recovery of skeletal remains that vaguely fit the description of the missing Atmore woman.
However, the body has been identified as that of a woman from Andalusia, Vonnie Prestwood.
McGhee disappeared from her Poarch Creek home early on the morning of March 24. Foul play is suspected, reportedly because her handbag and other personal items were still in the home.
McGhee is described as 31 years old at the time of her disappearance, 5 foot 4 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.
Investigators had pursued a lead that a serial killer on the loose in Baton Rouge, La., was involved in McGhee's disappearance, but that lead did not pan out.
Alabama Governor Bob Riley authorized a $5,000 reward in the case in June, but leads are still slow coming in.
"We are always receiving information," Escambia County chief deputy Maj. Mike Murphy said at the time the reward was announced.
" (We are always) following up, trying to verify it."