After 17 Years, The Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee

March 25, 2020

Tuesday marked 17 years since Melinda Wall McGhee went missing from her Atmore home, the apparent victim of foul play.

“The selfishness and meanness of the person that committed this crime haunts us daily. Our love for Melinda is as strong as it ever was and she is missed daily. Perseverance is our only weapon along with prayer. Our God’s vengeance will prevail one day this I believe,” Amanda McGhee said Tuesday as she visited her sister’s empty grave.

The morning of March 24, 2003, was a sunny start to the first day of spring break. Melinda, then 31, returned to her home about 8 a.m. after working the night shift as a nurse at a Bay Minette nursing home.

Her husband, Troy McGhee, was at work at Masland Carpets in Atmore. Their two children were at a babysitter, and Troy’s son from a previous relationship was at a dentist’s office. At about 8:30 the morning of March 24, 2003, Melinda spoke to her mother on the phone. It was the last time anyone known to Melinda would ever hear from her.

“I woke up to birds singing and sun shining just like it was 17 years ago, but our lives will never be the same the pain and loss is just as painful today as it was that day,” her mother, Ouida Wall said Tuesday.

At about 4:00 that afternoon, husband Troy came home to find Melinda missing. There was blood and evidence of a violent struggle inside the home. He reported his wife missing.

In 2010, authorities issued a death certificate for McGhee after a required seven year waiting period passed.

“We continue to be in prayer that Melinda’s body will be found and we can lay her to rest as she should have been years ago,” sister Melissa Wall said. “We are hopeful that the person responsible will be found out or come forward. We also pray that whoever knows something because someone does will come forward in hopes of some type of closure. Nothing will ever bring Sissy back but she deserves to be found and justice needs to be served.”

Comments

5 Responses to “After 17 Years, The Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee”

  1. G on March 24th, 2021 1:46 am

    Ive always heard people think someone buried her under the tavern because it was having work done or being built around that time but i dont think any research had be done there to rule it out. But at more is to small for something like this to happen and no one know anything about.

  2. Jim on March 26th, 2020 7:23 am

    Has the DNA evidence been turned over to the ParabonNano Laboratory? Many cold cases are solved through DNA and genealogy testing, why not this one?

  3. Kathy on March 25th, 2020 3:19 pm

    I knew Melinda, I pray every day that who ever did this they will feel the need to confess and give her family and friends closer. I still cant believe that this happened to such a sweet and caring person. My heart and prayers are with her family.

  4. Cindi on March 25th, 2020 1:49 pm

    My heart breaks for your family. I pray for you all and for her soul. I also pray that God intervenes and the person or evidence that would solve this case comes forward. The evil that was and is responsible for her death will be punished one way or another. Never let the public forget!!

  5. Lisa wall on March 25th, 2020 9:00 am

    Thank you for keeping my sisters case in the media. We continue to pray and believe that someone will say something that will finally solve her case.

  FNBT