Sheriff’s Office: Body matching description of missing Northumberland County woman found
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Va. (WWBT) - The Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office said a body matching the description of a missing woman has been found.
The sheriff’s office said they had more than 50 people on the ground searching for 28-year-old Ahrea’l Smith, but unfortunately, the search ended after a body was found on a property in Heathsville.
Smith was last seen around 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Claraville Little Sue Food Store. According to the Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office, her car was found there still running Thursday morning, but there had been no sign of her since.
Lydia Smith, Ahrea’l’s older sister, says security footage showed Ahrea’l get in and out of a vehicle just before she began locking up the store Wednesday night.
Ahrea’l was then seen on security footage taking trash to the dumpster behind the store but never again.
“After an extensive search operation throughout the day, search crews located a body, matching the description of Ahrea’l Smith, on a property in Heathsville,” Sheriff Johnny Beauchamp said. “Her body will be sent to the medical examiner’s office in Richmond for an autopsy.”
50-year-old Tyrone Samuel of Heathsville was charged with abduction of Smith on Saturday. Deputies would not confirm if the body was found on Samuel’s property or where search efforts ended.
Officials said more charges are being sought in connection.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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