NEED TO KNOW
- Ernestine Merritt, 79, was last seen leaving her Georgia home on the morning of Jan. 4
- Authorities and her local church said the retired teacher was diagnosed with dementia
- On Jan. 7, the DeKalb County Police Department confirmed her body was found in the woods
Georgia authorities said that a 79-year-old woman with dementia who went missing earlier this week was found dead.
The DeKalb County Police Department previously said a Mattie’s Call, an emergency missing alert for disabled or elderly persons in Georgia, was issued for Ernestine Merritt, who was last seen on Sunday, Jan. 4, at approximately 4:30 a.m. local time.
A doorbell camera reportedly recorded Merritt, a member of Greenforest Community Baptist Church, leaving her home on the 2400 block of Yolanda Trail in Ellenwood.
Authorities and members of Merritt’s church then conducted searches for her whereabouts in the days that followed.
Her cousin, James Robinson, told ABC affiliate WSB in a report published on Wednesday, Jan. 7 that “she thought she was going to church.” He added, “I love her, and I want her back real bad.”
Then, on Wednesday evening, the police confirmed to PEOPLE that Merritt had been found dead. “It is with sadness to announce this search has ended in tragedy,” they said. “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.”
Greenforest Community Baptist Church also confirmed Merritt’s death via Facebook on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 8. “It is with deep sorrow and faith in God’s promises that we share our missing church member, Sister Ernesting “Erni” Merritt, has been found and is now resting in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ,” the church wrote.
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“The Membership of Greenforest Community Baptist Church extends our sincerest thanks to the DeKalb County Police Department, community members, and the news media for their care, diligence, and support of her family and our church during this difficult time,” the church continued.
They added, “We ask that you continue to lift Erni’s family in prayer as they grieve and remember a life now held safely in God’s eternal care.”
Merritt’s personal Facebook page indicated that she was a retired high school English teacher, Fox affiliate WAGA reported.
The DeKalb Police Department said in its latest statement that there was no indication of foul play in Merritt’s death based on a preliminary investigation.
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