The search for a missing Navy veteran came to a sad conclusion last weekend.
Police reported that the body of Margaret Hanley, 72, was discovered near Hinesville, Georgia on Sunday. Hanley had been missing since Feb. 8 when she left her home in Jacksonville, Florida.
For the past couple of weeks, there was hope Hanley was still alive. Her cellphone had pinged in parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia. However, that hope ended on Saturday when her body was found lying near her car by a hunter around 4 p.m. in a heavily wooded area, according to News Now Georgia.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hanley’s car, a 2001 Toyota RAV 4, was found bogged down in mud along Old Hines Road in Flemington, Georgia. The vehicle was secured and impounded. The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the case, according to First Coast News. No cause of death has been released.
Intense Search to Find Her
After the Navy veteran went missing, her family contacted police and local media to help find her.
“My brother and sister, they’re distraught,” Thompson told First Coast News. “They’re not eating or sleeping very well. We just want to get our mom home.”
Thompson worried his mother might have been a victim of a scam. She had been sending large payments to someone from her bank account, which was unusual for her. She also wasn’t used to driving much at all, especially far distances, so when her car was reported to be in Georgia, Thompson became increasingly worried. Thompson said he wasn’t aware of anyone his mother knew in Georgia.
“She’s a very friendly and smart person,” said Thompson. “I just don't know how someone could’ve taken advantage of a person like that.”
Her son said she also suffered from short-term memory loss.
“If you ask her what she had for lunch today, she might not remember that but if you ask her, ‘Hey, where you were 10 years ago?’ and she would say, ‘I was stationed here, I was stationed there.’”
Getting desperate, Thompson even hired a private investigator to track down any leads in his mother’s disappearance.
“I’ve been lost for words and don’t know what the next steps are,” Thompson said. “I’ve even reached out and hired a private investigator. I figured the more people looking and chasing down leads, the better.”
Now the investigation turns from a missing person case to examining whether foul play was involved.
Former Shipmate Honors Hanley
Hanley served in the Navy for more than two decades, rising to the rank of chief. Anita Ramirez, one of her shipmates, posted a heartfelt message on Facebook after learning of Hanley’s death.
“Rest in peace, dear shipmate and cherished friend, Margo. You served with honor, strength, and heart,” Ramirez wrote. “Your legacy of friendship and dedication will never be forgotten my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to your family during this painful time. May the Lord grant you eternal rest and surround your loved ones with His comfort and peace.”
