A 72-year-old Navy veteran from Jacksonville who went missing more than a week ago has been found dead in Georgia, deputies say.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on social media, saying Margaret Hanley’s vehicle was found stuck in the mud on Old Hines Road. Deputies say her body was discovered adjacent to the vehicle.
First Coast News previously spoke to Hanley’s family during the search. Her son, Jomo Thompson, had said they became concerned after being unable to reach her.
After filing a missing persons report, Thompson says he reviewed his mother’s bank account and discovered she had been sending large amounts of money to someone — transactions he says were unusual and concerning. He believes she may have been the victim of a scam.
“She’s a very friendly and smart person,” Thompson previously said. “I just don’t know how someone could’ve taken advantage like that.”
According to the family, Hanley’s 2001 silver Toyota RAV4 was pinged in Gainesville and Starke, and most recently Hinesville, where the vehicle was discovered. Thompson had said that kind of travel was out of character for his mother, adding that she had short-term memory loss.
Liberty County deputies said Hanley’s car was secured and will be impounded.
An investigation is ongoing.