NQL Case File

Circumstances

Date of Disappearance

March 24, 2003

Notes

Melinda spent the night of March 23 at a nursing home in Bay Minette, Alabama where she worked as a night shift nurse while finishing up her nursing degree. She arrived at her home on Kent Road at around 8:00am on March 24, but did not see her family at that time. Her husband (Troy) was working at Masland Carpets and their children were either at a baby-sitter and dentist appointment. Instead she called both her husband and her mother at around 8:30am, but disappeared after hanging up the call. When Troy came home from work at around 4:00am (16:00), he found the home abandoned but signs of blood and other violence suggesting a struggle. Her phone and purse remained in the home. The blood was not enough to suggest that she died in the home, meaning it may have been a kidnapping. He informed police and an investigation was launched. Melinda's abandoned vehicle was found nearby with her keys locked inside the car. It is not clear if this is to suggest the kidnapper used her own vehicle for a time or if she had accidentally locked her keys in after arriving home initially. Police do not suspect her husband and their marriage appears to have been a happy one. They were married for seven years and were planning a holiday trip at the time. With the home being located in a highly rural area with few neighboring homes and at the end of a dead end, police suspect she was kidnapped while sleeping but cannot rule out that she was a targeted victim. Two potential suspects are Derrick Todd Lee and Jeremy Bryan Jones, both serial killers who committed similar crimes. Derrick Todd Lee was a serial killer who killed several different women in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Melinda's case is very similar to those that Lee was involved in, but given the distance between Baton Rough and Melinda's home it seems unlikely he is the main suspect. Alternatively, Jeremy Bryan Jones was operating in Alabama but it is not clear why he is believed to be related to Melinda's case as he tended to pick women up in bars or similar locations. Melinda had worked at area prisons as a licensed nurse where she may have met someone. Melinda's case remains unsolved; she is presumed to be a victim of foul play. The Escambia County Sheriffs Office is investigating the disappearance of MELINDA WALL MCGHEE. MELINDA has been missing since Monday, March 24th, 2003. Anyone who has seen MELINDA or knows her whereabouts is encouraged to call the Escambia County Sheriffs Office. Also, please report any suspicious person or vehicle observed on Monday, March 24, 2003 from 8am -4pm, in and around Kent Road in Atmore, Alabama.

Location of the Disappearance or Crime Scene

Potential Circumstances

Vehicle

License Plate

Photo of Vehicle

Suspect

Man

Suspect Description

Although not strong leads, there is some suspicion she was the victim of a serial killer such as Jeremy Bryan Jones or Derrick Todd Lee.

Photo of Suspect