Today, the State Police issued a press release regarding new development in the case of Hattie Brown (missing since May 16). The current reward poster is available at the end of this posting.
RELATIVE OF MISSING HALIFAX COUNTY WOMAN CONSIDERED SUSPECT IN HER DISAPPERANCE
Family Increases Reward for Arrest/Conviction in Her Disappearance
HALIFAX CO. – The on-going investigation into the whereabouts of a missing Halifax County woman, Hattie Gertrude Brown, has now identified the woman’s nephew as a suspect in her disappearance. Derek E. Brown, 30, of Virgilina, Va., has been elevated from a person of interest to a suspect in the missing person’s case.
Hattie Gertrude Brown, 48, was last seen Saturday, May 16, 2009, at a Sheetz gas station at the intersection of Route 501 and Route 58 just outside South Boston in Halifax County. A video camera captured the woman and her car at the gas station at approximately 2:33 a.m. It has been determined that she was accompanied at the gas station by her nephew, Derek E. Brown.
Eight weeks later, on July 7, 2009, Ms. Brown’s 2003 silver Volkswagen Jetta was discovered on private property in the southeastern corner of Halifax County. The property owner found the abandoned vehicle behind an old barn and immediately notified investigators. The Volkswagen Jetta had been set on fire.
Additionally, Brown’s family has increased their reward to $10,000 from $2,500 for the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the disappearance of their loved one.
Brown is a black female with brown eyes and black, shoulder-length hair. She is approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, 155 pounds, and was last seen wearing a sleeveless top and pants with side stripes. The investigation into her disappearance also indicates that she left her residence without her purse or critical medication.
Virginia State Police, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and South Boston Police are still seeking information on the whereabouts of Ms. Brown.
Anyone who might have information about her disappearance is still encouraged to contact investigators. You may reach the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division, if in Virginia, by dialing toll-free 1-800-552-0962 or (434) 352-7128. Virginia State Police can also be contacted by email at Troy.LaRue@vsp.virginia.gov. To contact the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office or South Boston Police Department with information on this case, please call (434) 476-3334.
Here is the current reward poster for this case. (PDF file)
God, I hope they find this woman regardless of the state of affairs. The family deserves to know what happened to her. Unfortunately, if she left her home without critical medication, it is likely that she succumbed to whatever the medication was treating her for. Let’s hope not. Prayers and positive thoughts for Mrs. Brown and the police.
I would like to know what is happening with Hattie nephew.Is the nephew on drugs or selling drug or just plain crazy. It takes a coward, to take a person from their home and kill them. Hattie was a good person and did not deserve this.
Ipray everyday for the Brown Family. I love all of them like they are Brothers and Sisters tome . This family lives with Love for each other like Father God wants us to be. I pray for a miracle.Derrick please ask God to help you, go into any church and tell a Pastor the truth. You or someone please dry the tears of this family. God will forgive you even if they don’t. PLEASE-PLEASE, IT’s hurting ME TOO. I LOVE YOU ALL–HOLD ON to the LORD. Much Love Dot M.
Your Forever Friend & Big Sister, Father God put your arms around me and this family. They LOVE each other so dearly. These people are what FAMILY is all about. I pray everyday for a miracle. If you want or need real LOVE, then this is the FAMILY to go to. Father God wrap your arms around them, hold them strong&and always together. I love them with all the LOVE you have given me. Please send Hattie home to us or give us your miraclous sign from HEAVEN. I LOVE YOU ALL FOREVER> Dot (NYC)
The police department knows that Derek was the last one seen with Hattie, and that Derek said Hattie had $300-400 cash on her. He murdered his Aunt and now wont comply with turning himself him, and the police need to arrest him and that Pumphrey girl who skipped out. This is simply ridiculous that this guy would do this.
I m praying for you.
I saw the post by GBI looking to try to find out who a body of a black woman found in May 2009 might be. The facial reconstruction looks like Hattie have you seen it? Right age too. I hope it’s her.http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-04-10/gbi-asks-help-identifying-remains#.T4UOzffPokk.facebook Good luck and God Bless!
GOOD CATCH MELODY!!! since you posted this in april and i can’t find where anyone followed up on it, i called the GBI tipline and got told,call back tomorrow. so i called the number above for the va state police. they took the info and sounded interested. hopefully this will help solve one of these cases. we always assume,”surely somebody already checked this out”…more often than not i’ve found nobody has. Abba, Father, please, comfort those who miss their loved ones and don;t know what happened to them. in Jesus Name i pray,amen.
soo has any follow up been done with the remains found in GA……..