Missing Athens mom’s body found burned after she tells daughter ‘they won’t let me go’

Missing woman’s body found burned after she tells daughter ‘they won’t let me go’

Athens, Georgia — Deputies say the burned and naked remains of an Athens woman were found in Habersham County after she reportedly sent thousands in cash to her daughter and told her that “they won’t let me go.”

Deputies said that Deborah Todd Collier, 59, vanished from the Athens area on Sept. 10.

Her daughter, Amanda Bearden, told police that before she vanished, her mother had sent her $2,385 via Venmo and texted something to the effect of “they won’t let me go. There is a key to the house under the flower pot.”

On Sept. 11, police tracked Collier’s car to Habersham County using her SiriusXM service.

Deputies found Collier’s car, a Chrysler Pacifica, pulled over on the side of a wooded area along GA 15 near Tallulah Falls with no one inside.

Bearden arrived at the scene after SiriusXM notified her that the car had been found and told deputies her mother had a bad back and couldn’t walk far.

A K9 unit was dispatched to the scene and searched the area. Deputies found what looked like the remains of a fire in the woods. Shortly thereafter, they found Collier’s body naked and burned. A partially burned blue tarp and a red tote bag were found nearby.

Authorities have confirmed that the body found over the weekend in Habersham County is that of Debbie Collier. Family members reported the 59-year-old Athens woman missing on September 10. Her body was found less than 24 hours later. https://t.co/IIQyem6vrr via @nowhabersham pic.twitter.com/Bb3xupqiq5

— Now Habersham (@nowhabersham) September 13, 2022

Deputies are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding Collier’s death. So far, they have not identified any suspects.

Investigators are treating the death as a homicide. The state medical examiner’s office is performing an autopsy.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

There are definitely some strange things going on in the world. Stay prayed up.