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Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson released information Friday concerning the discovery of human remains in an area off Canaan Church Road in Conecuh County.

The remains have been positively identified as those of Shari Saunders, who was reported missing in August 2018, Jackson said.

Jackson related the history of the case as follows:

On August 4, 2018, Shari Saunders left Norfolk, Virginia traveling to Monroeville, Alabama to visit with family. Shari Saunders was listed as a missing person and entered into a nationwide database.

On August 13, 2018, Shari Saunders’ vehicle was located on a dirt road off Canaan Church Road in Conecuh County, Alabama. A search of the area was completed by the Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe County Sheriff’s Offices but Shari Saunders was not located. Investigators continued to search for Shari Saunders, interview sources of information, and follow up on leads and information that came in on a weekly basis.

On December 26, 2020, skeletal remains were found in a wooded area off a gated private road that intersects with Canaan Church Road. The remains were submitted for forensic testing in hopes of a positive identification.

A forensic laboratory has now positively identified the skeletal remains as that of Shari Saunders. Additional evidence is being evaluated by other forensic labs, and the Sheriff’s Offices are focusing on particular suspects.

“We would like to thank the community for their willingness to help in bringing this case closer to being solved and ask that you report anything that might be of evidentiary value,” Jackson said.

Please call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 251-809-0741 and ask for Investigator Smith if you have information concerning this case.

 

 

Sheriff Heath Jackson- Escambia County

Sheriff Randy Brock- Conecuh County

Sheriff Tom Boatwright- Monroe County