Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman said on Monday there is no news on Brenda Mashburn, who has been missing for almost two years.
“It has been one year and eight months since the family has heard from her,” Chapman said.
Chapman said in the past few weeks Mashburn’s family has met with authorities at the Banks County Sheriff’s Office to talk with them about the case.
Chapman said, according to Mashburn’s mother, she never would go over a month or two without contacting her and she has not talked with her since Aug. 25, 2010.
“Mashburn was last seen by family members on Aug. 25, 2010, in Habersham County,” Chapman said.
On Oct. 4, 2010, a missing person’s report was filed in Banks County on Mashburn, who at that time was 49 years old. Mashburn was described as a white female, 5’7” tall, weighing 110 lbs.
Mashburn was last seen in Banks County on Henderson Road where she was living with a man whom she had been living with for several years, Chapman said.
At the time the missing person’s report was filed, she was entered in GCIC-NCIC as a missing person. The BCSO later asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigations for assistance.
“Investigators interviewed many people and searched the area where Mashburn was seen,” Chapman said.
Chapman said, “On or about the time she was last seen, a black, full-size van was seen at the house where Mashburn was living and Mashburn has not been seen since.”
Investigators obtained Mashburn’s cell phone records and the property Mashburn was living on has been searched three different times, Chapman said.
“A cadaver dog was also brought in and a search was done to see if a body could be found,” Chapman said.
Chapman said, “It is still uncertain if Mashburn left in the van that was seen at her house or if something else took place. We have a missing person, but no body.”
“It is troublesome that Mashburn would just up and leave and take nothing with her, which is the case and that she would not contact any of her family members, which they said she always did,” Chapman said.
Chapman said, “With all of the interviews which have been conducted, we still don’t have anything conclusive. I cannot say for sure that foul play was not involved or if Mashburn did just up and leave.”
“We have strong reason to believe that drugs were involved,” he added.
Chapman said the case is still open and if anyone has any information that would help in solving the case to please contact the Banks County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division or the Athens GBI office. “Any information will be greatly appreciated,” Chapman said.
