Attala Fitness owner Vickie Ellington has been missing since Thursday, January 27. Her vehicle was found by friends at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Louisville, MS about 1 p.m. Thursday. She was last seen Thursday morning in Kosciusko, MS. One friend tells that a text message from Ellington said she had planned to meet someone in Louisville.
A surveillance video from the Wal-Mart parking lot in Louisville Ellington leaving her SUV and walking north toward McDonald’s. She did not return to her vehicle and did not enter Wal-Mart.
Sources close to the investigation have confirmed that interviews have been going on on a nearly round-the-clock basis. Those sources also said Ellington's vehicle was being processed for evidence by investigators.
Ellington’s electronics had been searched for clues and that investigators, along with Louisville police and Winston County deputies had canvassed the area where she was last seen. About 15 to 20 people had been interviewed by deputies and investigators with the Miss. Bureau of Investigation.
Friends say Ellington’s purse was left behind at home but she had taken her wallet and keys and she does not answer her cell phone.
Ellington is a 53-year-old white female with short light brown or blonde hair.
She has a grandson who was in her care. He is being cared for.
Family and friends of Attala Fitness owner Vickie Ellington met Saturday for a prayer vigil at Red Bud Springs Park in Kosciusko. Prayers were offered for her safe return. Family members asked the public not to believe the many rumors floating around. Ellington's sister, Peggy Clark, said she is refraining from any speculation as to what might have happened.
January 31 UPDATE:
Attala County authorities were gearing up for a ground search Tuesday in the disappearance of Attala Fitness owner Vickie Ellington. Sheriff William Lee says that the search will likely be a slow one. He said Monday afternoon that Tuesday’s search would be to “eliminate the area around her place”.
February 1 UPDATE:
Attala County authorities say they are finished with a ground search at the home of Vickie Ellington. Sheriff William Lee says the search was complete Tuesday and turned up no new evidence.
February 2 UPDATE:
Facts:
Vickie Ellington, 53, has been missing since Jan. 27.
Ellington was last seen in a parking lot of a Wal-Mart in Louisville, Miss. on surveillance tape.
Ellington's Chevy Suburban was found unharmed in the Louisville, Miss. Wal-Mart parking lot.
The surveillance tape last showed her walking toward a McDonald's and Taco Bell when she just walked out of the camera's range without meeting anyone.
Vickie Ellington lived in a house, on a hill, along County Road 5216 with her 8 year old grandson, she was raising.
Ellington's husband died of cancer about a year and a half ago.
The sheriff said Ellington was a woman "who enjoyed life."
Tuesday's search was through the woods on her 100 acres of property and was conducted by Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks personnel and other volunteer law enforcement officers.
The search focused along Miss. County Road 5216 about 3 and a half miles southeast of Kosciusko.
The personnel combed the woods looking for anything they could find.
They found nothing substantial.
February 23, 2011 UPDATE
Nearly one month after Attala Fitness owner Vickie Ellington’s disappearance, the Attala County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies continue to sift through evidence looking for clues.
“That’s still an on going investigation,” said Attala County Sheriff William Lee Tuesday.
He says investigators are looking at two pieces of evidence which may yet shed light on her Jan. 27 disappearance.
“We had some video surveillance at Wal-Mart parking lot and also a gas station,” he said. Lee says that video is now at a lab where experts are trying to sharpen the picture electronically.
He says Ellington never met who she said she was going to meet in Louisville, which is where her SUV was found.
Anyone with information is asked to call Attala County authorities at 289-5556.
** Tags: nancy_grace, mississippi, attala, missing, ellington, vickie, louisville, hln, kosciusko
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