Law enforcement blocked a portion of County Road 45 in Marion County near Exit 22 on I-22 in relation to the search for a missing woman.
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Nothing found during search for missing woman near interstate in Marion County
Law enforcement blocked a portion of County Road 45 in Marion County near Exit 22 on I-22 in relation to the search for a missing woman, Chastity Terry, also known as Chasity Galbreath. Investigators did not find anything along the stretch of road, according to Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams.
Hamilton Police Chief Jordan Carter said Terry was last seen by family members on January 9.
Video footage shows Terry at a Love's Truck Stop in Jasper on January 10 at approximately 2 a.m.
Carter said Terry was with a man, Charles David Williams Jr.
"Ms. Terry then left with this male from the Love's in Jasper, continued I-22 westbound from that location. We believe she did occupy a vehicle that was in a ditch located on I-22 near Exit 22, which is County Road 45," said Carter.
It is unclear why the vehicle, an orange Jeep, was in the ditch. Williams is believed to be the driver of the Jeep as he was seen getting out of the vehicle by law enforcement, according to Carter.
Williams was booked into the Marion County Jail on January 12 for conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.
Carter said investigators have spoken with Williams about the disappearance of Terry.
"At this time, we haven't received any factual information that would align with the disappearance other than he states that she was last seen in this area that we are actively searching right now," said Carter.
Aside from the statement from Charles Williams, it is unclear if Terry was still in the vehicle when it reached Exit 22 or if she walked in the area law enforcement searched Monday.
The Jeep was impounded, according to Hamilton PD.
At this time, there's no evidence that indicates Terry is injured or deceased.
"We hope and believe we can find her located in this general area. We encourage anyone that has any information to contact the Hamilton Police Department," said Carter.
"We still don't have any evidence of foul play at all, but given the situation, if she walked off, if she left, we don't know what happened. The clothes she had on were they warm enough for the snow and ice? We don't know," said Sheriff Williams.
Although there's no evidence of foul play at this time, Sheriff Williams said they are going to investigate the case as a homicide as well as a missing person case.
"We don't have any evidence that it is a homicide, but we are going to look at it that way," said Williams.
Family, friends, and community members gathered at a church in Hamilton to pray for answers to Terry's disappearance and for her safe return.
"Scared. Afraid. Trying to stay hopeful even in this situation. Someone has always known where she was at. This is definitely out of the normal for her, for us to not know where she's at. I just want her to come home. Be safe," said Misty Galbreath, Terry's sister.
Terry has three children and two grandchildren.
"We had a Christmas party here actually on Christmas Eve. She came and spent time with her grandkids and got her grandkids stuff. We played games and had fun. Those are some of the last moments I have with her. I want that to be in the future again. I want more of that," said Galbreath.
Galbreath asked for people to come forward if they had information.
"Come forward. Come to the police. Don't be afraid. Whatever it is, just bring light to the situation, no matter how dark it might be, so we can have peace and comfort and answers," said Galbreath.
One of Terry's daughters, Courtney Posey, said her mother is strong.
"I knew that something was wrong. The first thing I did was go to Hamilton Police and file a missing person report on her. I was so scared," said Posey. "My sister called me, and she said, 'Did you know our mom has been missing for two days.' I immediately started crying because it is just unlike her."
"She is just so tough. She loves animals. She has a dog named Izzy that is like her baby. She is so funny. She is beautiful. She is an amazing person, really. She has her struggles just like everybody else, but she is just a great person," said Posey.
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