Search for missing Henrico woman last seen on bridge continues amid winter storm
VENN
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Inclement weather has hit the Central Virginia region amid an ongoing search for a Henrico County woman whose car was last seen near the Robert E. Lee bridge in early February.
According to the Richmond Police Department, on Saturday, Feb. 8, a vehicle registered to MaReesa Jones was found near the bridge after a 911 caller stated a Black woman was seen wearing a black tracksuit, knit hat and glasses standing near the railing of the bridge.
"I'm hoping that, wherever she is, she's okay," said Constance Galloway, Jones' next-door neighboor.
Galloway did not know that Jones had gone missing until this past Sunday, about one week after police found her car.
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"When the police were here and I realized that, 'Yeah, I really haven't seen her...it has been a week,'" she said.
Galloway is Jones' neighbor of 26 years. She added that Jones and her now-deceased parents are and have always been private people -- but still friendly.
"She would bring me vegetables from the garden in the summer," Galloway said. "She's even been over in our yard when my sister had a party here in our backyard, a few years ago."
59-year-old Mareesa Jones of Henrico County. (Photo: Richmond Police Department)
As the days continue and with no updates on Jones' search, worry has begun to creep in.
"There's always hope and there's always prayer, but there's also a need to be practical about things," Galloway said. "I think about how she must have felt, if she were on the bridge for the purpose of taking her own life."
Kheli Muhammad, Jones' friend, sent 8News this statement:
"MaReesa is a truly remarkable woman. I would definitely say that she is known for her vibrant personality that lights up any room that she goes in. She’s always super generous, putting her community first and dedicating her time and energy to making it thrive. You can always find her smiling, rocking some awesome jewelry and wearing a pair of her infamous crocs. she’s always willing to lend a helping hands to others, especially her fellow entrepreneurs, guiding them with wisdom and encouragement. She’s quick to take anyone under her wing, and her support for others is contagious as well as her passion for seeing other people grow and succeed. It is truly a gift to know her." Kheli Muhammad, friend of Jones
If you or someone you know has any information on Jones' whereabouts, you are asked to call the Richmond Police Department's Major Crimes, Youth and Family Crimes Unit at 804-646-6764.
