She Was Supposed To Return Home After Working A 12-Hour Shift, But Her Husband Only Found Blood And Signs Of A Struggle In Their House, And She’s Been Missing Ever Since
I can’t imagine the pain one must feel to go home thinking their loved one will be there, only to find that they’ve vanished and there are signs that something went horribly wrong.
That happened to Melinda Mcghee’s family, who haven’t seen her since 2003, when they expected to see her home from work safe and sound but instead discovered a disturbing scene.
In 2003, Melinda McGhee was a busy mom living in Alabama with her husband Troy, their two children, and her stepson.
She was 31-years-old and working as a caregiver in a nursing home while also working hard as a nursing student. She was described as bubbly, caring, and excited about life.
Tragically, she went missing in March of that year.
On March 24th, 2003, Melinda finished a 12-hour shift at the nursing home around 7:00 am. Troy was at work, their two sons were at their babysitter’s home, and Troy’s son was at a dental appointment. After stopping at a convenience store, Melinda drove home to their house in Atmore, Alabama.
Melinda then called her mother and Troy around 8:00 am to let them know she was home safe. She and Troy agreed he would pick up the children from their babysitter so she could get some much-needed rest. That phone call would be the final time he heard from Melinda.
After picking up the kids and arriving home around 4:00 pm, Troy was stunned when one of their kids, who had gone inside the house to say hello to Melinda, said there was blood in the house and that she was missing.
Troy allegedly went into the house and saw blood and signs that a violent struggle had taken place, but no sign of Melinda.
sashapritchard – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
He then noticed Melinda’s car was parked near the house with her keys inside. After looking around the house, her cell phone and purse were found.
Troy then made calls to his mother-in-law and local hospitals to ask if they had seen Melinda, but after not getting any information, he called the police to report her missing.
Authorities immediately suspected foul play to be involved in Melinda’s disappearance, some allegedly believing she may have been abducted and assaulted while she was sleeping after her shift.
Troy was quickly taken off the suspect list for Melinda’s case as police believed he had no involvement in her disappearance.
After conducting several thorough searches throughout Alabama, police began investigating serial killer Derrick Todd Lee, who had a warrant out for his arrest after committing a series of murders only a few hundred miles away from where Melinda lived.
Although Derrick was eventually put on trial, police could never find any evidence that linked him to Melinda’s case.
A similar instance happened with Jeremy Bryan Jones, a killer who was known for targeting Caucasian women in Georgia and Alabama.
When police investigated a potential link between him and Melinda’s disappearance, they removed him as a suspect, as he had a solid alibi.
More searching and investigating have occurred since Melinda vanished, and police have even thoroughly investigated claims made on her case.
However, it’s been over 20 years, and no one can confidently say what happened to her or where her body may be.
In 2010, Alabama authorities declared Melinda dead and issued a death certificate for her. Yet that still doesn’t mean her loved ones are hoping for more information on her case, closure, and justice.
At the time of Melinda’s disappearance, she was five foot four, weighed 130 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes. She would have been 50-years-old today.
If you have any information regarding her case, you are urged to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department at (251) 809-0741.
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