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After 18 Years, The Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee
March 24, 2021
Wednesday marked 18 years since Melinda Wall McGhee went missing from her Atmore home, the apparent victim of foul play.
The morning of March 24, 2003, was a sunny start to the first day of spring break. Melinda, then 31, returned to her home about 8 a.m. after working the night shift as a nurse at a Bay Minette nursing home.
Her husband, Troy McGhee, was at work at Masland Carpets in Atmore. Their two children were at a babysitter, and Troy’s son from a previous relationship was at a dentist’s office. At about 8:30 the morning of March 24, 2003, Melinda spoke to her mother on the phone. It was the last time anyone known to Melinda would ever hear from her.
At about 4:00 that afternoon, husband Troy came home to find Melinda missing. There was blood and evidence of a violent struggle inside the home. He reported his wife missing.
Melinda’s vehicle was found parked near the house with her keys locked inside. Her purse and cellular phone were inside the residence. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance.
Over the years, there have been several searches for Melinda’s body or clues into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
In March 2009, authorities searched an area off Perry Lane in Wawbeek for clues in Melinda’s disappearance. Perry Lane is about a mile north of Highway 31 off Sardis Church Road near Old Atmore Road. The location is about three miles north of the Florida/Alabama line . On the last day of January 2009, authorities searched a water-filled gravel pit off Jack Springs Roads near the Judson Cemetery between Atmore and Poarch. All of the searches have turned up empty.
In 2010, authorities issued a death certificate for McGhee after a required seven year waiting period passed.
Anyone with information on McGhee’s disappearance is asked to call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department at (251) 809-0741 or their local law enforcement agency.
Comments
12 Responses to “After 18 Years, The Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee”
Truly sad, and sad how easy it is to get away with murder
I remember Melinda being such a sweet and funny girl. We worked together at the Ponderosa and she would sometimes babysit my daughter when I was working and she had the day off. We would have graduated college together as RN’s. Saw her in the college bookstore just days before she disappeared. I think of her often and pray she is found for her families sake.
I worked with Melinda for several years and we both went else where, I met her in Walmart on the Friday morning before she disappeared and we stood and chatted for a long time. Melinda was so excited about life, she told me about her boys, her husband and she was back in school and would be doing clinicals in the hospital I was working at. We had such a lovely conversation and she was her super bubbly self and so happy. So much promise was taken away that day and those responsible need to be held responsible.
This is incredibly heart breaking, I know this family very well and it breaks my heart that someone would be so selfish to not come forward and give this family some kind of closure. She was a daughter, a mom, a wife, they truly deserve peace of mind. Someone knows something, and you know who you are, if you don’t want people to know who you are, be anonymous and call the sheriff’s Dept because you wouldn’t want to be in this situation at all. Please do the right thing and give this family closure, it’s been too long.
Melinda, I know someone knows something. Your boys deserve an answer to where mommy went. All your family and friends do. We all want to know where you are. I think of you everyday. Love you my friend
This young momma resembles Danielle Bell. I wonder if the 2 cases have the same villain?
Everybody knows who did it They just can’t get the evidence to arrest the person . I knew her from the day she was born . I only wish they’d nail the person do her mom and dad and kids could have closure
Hoping evidence collected 18 years ago can be checked for DNA of who did this and matched to the growing DNA genealogy databases. Much older cold cases have been solved this way in recent years.
with technology how it is now, her killer will be found.
I myself never knew this woman but lord knows I have prayed for her and her family for years!!
Lord knows what happened. Many rumors and speculations of what did or may have happened are only assumptions presumed by individuals seeking an answer. The world may never know. But He who knows is on the throne. Prayers for the family
Somebody knows something, please speak up and give this woman justice!!!