72-year-old Jeannette Moxley found approximately three-tenths of a mile from where she ...

72-year-old Jeannette Moxley found approximately three-tenths of a mile from where she was last seen

STUART, Va. — A search for a 72-year-old Stuart woman who became the subject of a statewide critically missing adult alert Wednesday ended in tragedy.

Jeannette Moxley, 72, of Stuart, was found dead later that afternoon after authorities and volunteers searched the area near Salem Highway.

This report is based on information first reported by Bill Wyatt of the Martinsville Bulletin.

According to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith, the county's 911 communications center received a call at approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, reporting that Moxley had left a residence in the 100 block of Salem Highway on foot earlier that morning and had not returned.

Smith said Moxley had serious underlying health conditions, prompting authorities to quickly begin searching for her.

Deputies were joined by volunteers and public-safety agencies from Patrick County and neighboring Stokes County, North Carolina.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management was also brought in to help coordinate the search.

As the search continued, the Virginia State Police issued a Critically Missing Adult Alert for Moxley. Authorities said she was last seen at approximately 9 a.m. and that her disappearance posed a credible threat to her health and safety.

The alert was later canceled after State Police announced that Moxley had been located.

Unfortunately, the search did not end with the outcome everyone was hoping for.

Sheriff Smith said searchers located Moxley shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday, approximately three-tenths of a mile from where she was last seen.

She was deceased.

Temperatures were approaching 100 degrees as emergency personnel and volunteers worked to locate Moxley.

Sheriff Smith thanked the numerous volunteers and emergency personnel who participated in the search despite the extreme heat.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The circumstances surrounding Moxley's death have not been released.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are assisting the Patrick County Sheriff's Office.

The cause and manner of death have not been determined or released.

Sheriff Smith said the investigation remains active and that no additional information would be released at this time.

For the family, friends and community members who joined the search, what began Wednesday morning as a desperate effort to bring a missing loved one home ended several hours later with heartbreaking news.

May Jeannette Moxley rest in peace.

Original Facebook source: Open post

Source note: Star News TV · Sep 6, 2026 12:16 PM.