By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is asking for county residents to help in the search for an Atmore woman who has been missing for over a week.
Melinda Wall McGhee, 31, was reported missing from her home in the Poarch community on Monday, March 24.
After one week of investigating the disappearance, Sheriff Grover Smith is asking county residents to volunteer for a search of the western portion of Escambia County on Saturday, April 5. Those wishing to volunteer should meet at the parking lot between the Sail Center and the gymnasium off Lynn McGhee Drive at the Poarch Creek Indian facility at 8:30 a.m.
Smith said volunteers will be assisting with cars, trucks and horses. He also said that four-wheelers are not allowed.
ECSO officials said law enforcement officials will lead the search of different zones from Poarch south to Baldwin County.
Murphy said deputies will be on the scene as well as some state officials and possibly Poarch law enforcement officials.
Investigators with the ECSO, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the State Department of Forensics are investigating the disappearance. Officials said they do suspect foul play and an ECSO official said last week that blood was found inside McGhee's home.
McGhee is described as a white female, 5-foot-4, 130 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone who has seen McGhee or knows of her whereabouts is encouraged to call the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at 809-0741.