Body of 79-year-old DeKalb County woman found after extensive search
Ernestine Merritt. Photos courtesy of DeKalb County Police Department
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities have canceled a Mattie’s Call for a missing DeKalb County woman after her body was discovered Wednesday, a quarter-mile from her home.
What we know:
Georgia Emergency Search and Rescue tells FOX 5 Atlanta that the body of 79-year-old Ernestine Merritt was found in a creekbed near her home, ending an exhaustive search.
The statewide Mattie's Call, Georgia's emergency missing alert for disabled or elderly persons, was canceled soon after.
In a statement, the DeKalb County Police Department wrote:
"It is with sadness to announce this search has ended in tragedy. After days of searching, investigators found Ernestine Merritt deceased today. Her body was located in some woods behind the 3900 block of Old Ivy Court. Preliminary investigation suggests there is no foul play."
The backstory:
Merritt was last seen around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 4 leaving her home in the 2400 block of Yolanda Trail in the Ellenwood area. Merritt, who has been diagnosed with dementia, may have believed she was walking to church when she disappeared.
Church friends help search for missing 79-year-old woman
Ernestine "Erni" Merritt, 79, has been missing since 4:20 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.
Members of Greenforest Community Baptist Church had been actively searching for Merritt alongside the DeKalb County Police Department.
What they're saying:
Friends and family previously said Ernestine Merritt, known affectionately as "Erni," left her house in the 2400 block of Yolanda Trail around 4:20 a.m. thinking she was heading to Greenforest Community Baptist Church to serve as an usher.
"Ernie, we love you. We are looking for you and we can't wait to see you again," said her friend, Felecia Prince. "She got into her head that she was going to usher Sunday... based on the Ring camera, she probably left around 4:20 or so in the morning... dressed and ready to go to church."
The search for the retired educator has grown daily, with community members and police using drones to scan the area off Bouldercrest Road. Because Merritt does not drive, her loved ones believe she is traveling on foot.
"We have been friends with Ernestine over the years... years and years," Prince said. "Ernie is very friendly. She never meets a stranger."