Olivia Fowler (inset, above missing persons poster) was confirmed dead on August 22, eight months after human remains were discovered in Meriwether County (screenshot by Fox 5)
Federal and local law enforcement officials said Tuesday that DNA testing of human remains discovered in December 2022 confirmed the death of a 27-year-old mother of three, who was last seen alive two summers ago.
Olivia Samantha Fowler was last seen alive around 10:30 am on August 13, 2021 by a Georgia Department of Natural Resources ranger who recognized her. Fowler was strolling along Pebblebrook Road in rural Meriwether County, Georgia. He wore flip-flops, a tie-dye shirt and shorts.
“Your personal belongings were left behind,” the FBI said in a now-archived missing persons alert.
Fowler’s family reported her missing the day after she was last seen, and both the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI have since begun investigating the missing person.
December 16, 2022 proved to be a pivotal moment in the investigation.
“Evidence still needs to be analyzed and processed,” the FBI said on Tuesday. “The FBI Atlanta Columbus Resident Agency continues to support Meriwether County to bring this case to a conclusion and provide answers to the Fowler family.”
Meriwether County Sheriff Chuck Smith recounted how authorities came to the rural area on a lead and DNA testing confirmed human remains to be Fowler’s property.
“When our staff arrived in the area and began searching, they were able to locate human remains using the clue provided. We were assisted by the GBI Crime Scene Unit in recovering and processing the crime scene,” Smith said. “The remains were then sent to the GBI Crime Lab. Our employees, who were assisted early in the investigation of a missing persons case by the FBI Columbus Resident Agency, worked with us to expedite the identification of these remains.”
The sheriff also pointed out that the investigation is far from over.
“This case is now being moved from a missing persons case to a death investigation. There is still a lot of evidence that needs to be analyzed and processed,” he added.
Finally, Sheriff Smith delivered a message from Fowler’s family asking for support and space to mourn her loss.
“The family is asking that they be saddened by the latest news and support them at this difficult time,” the sheriff said. “The family wants the public to know that Olivia was not only a mother, but also a daughter, sister, grandchild and an important member of the Fowler family. This is a difficult time for them now and in the future. Please be respectful of her request.”
Fowler’s aunt Tamara McCoy had said Fowler’s sudden disappearance was “hell” for the family.
The family and friends had had a challenging and painful year since she was seen gathering over the weekend.
“It’s easy … not knowing where she is, not knowing if she’s still with us, not knowing if she’s in another county, going through things, and not knowing if she even knows where she is.” is,” she just told Fox 5 Atlanta over a year ago. “And just not knowing and waking up in the middle of the night to news and rumors and waking up in a panic because you’re having a dream and just … your imagination takes you places you never thought you’d go.” “
Law enforcement’s most recent update did not include information on a suspected cause of death.
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