HAMLET — Searchers on Tuesday found the body of a woman who hadn’t been heard from since February.
The body of 90-year-old Betty Billingsley was recovered by a search dog in a wooded area of N.C. 38, according to Detective Gary Carter of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Five teams set out around 9:30 a.m. to search the area between her Ridgeview View Drive home and Main Street — where she was known to walk.
Billingsley was reported missing May 19 by the Richmond County Department of Social Services.
Carter said investigators called a relative, who said he hadn’t spoken with her since late February, to get a key to search her house.
Investigators learned that Billingsley would often walk down the road to the store, and sometimes take a ride from anyone who stopped to offer. She would also call taxi services to take her where she needed to go.
Carter said there didn’t seem to be anything missing from her home.
The searchers included a drone team, people on foot and some on ATVs from the following agencies and organizations: Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team; Hamlet Fire and Rescue; Cordova Fire and Rescue; Richmond County Emergency Services; Richmond County Rescue Squad; Pineland Resources; and CUE Center for Missing Persons.
Around 10:15, all the teams were called back to the command center set up at the fairgrounds while Carter and other investigators went to confirm the identity of the body.
While there is nothing to indicate foul play, Carter said investigators haven’t completely ruled that out and the investigation is ongoing.
Carter said he was appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community and their offers to help search and pray.
Some brought ice and bottles of water and several local restaurants, including Seaboard Station and Godfather’s Pizza.
While they weren’t able to find Billingsley alive, Carter said at least the family will have closure.
In April of 2019, the sheriff’s office launched a search in Ellerbe for for 51-year-old Joseph Michael Blake, who legally changed his name to Sol Vain Zivek.
Teams from more than 20 public and private agencies joined the effort to find Alvin Covington in March of 2016.
Neither man has yet been found.
