VIDEO: Water search for slain Edward’s woman Ebony Owens along with the most recent updates

Sheriff Martin Pace and his team from Warren County are assisting in the search for Ebony Owens in the water. On Thursday evening, the Vicksburg Daily News met with the sheriff to receive an update on the search.

Ebony Owens

According to Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones, Owens was last heard from on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday morning, “Deputies responded to a residence at 110 Edwards Avenue, which is in Edwards, Mississippi, to do a welfare check at the residence,” Said Sheriff Jones. “This was at about 1:40 p.m. [Wednesday] afternoon. It was due to the fact that she did not show up to work and the family had not spoken to her since Tuesday.”

Ebony Owens

A white 2015 Acura TLX not unlike the one driven by Ebony Owens.

As the investigation continued, evidence showed Owens was in the Clinton area on Tuesday night in a white, 2015 Acura TLX.

On Wednesday morning her burning vehicle was found by Perry Brown on his way to work.

“I came over the hill and saw the glow,” said Brown. “I called 911. Just the trunk was on fire when I first saw it. By the time firefighters arrived the whole car was on fire.”

He did not see anyone near the vehicle.

The burning vehicle was, “Just minutes west of her residence,” according to Sheriff Jones. “It was undetermined what the make and model of the vehicle was at that particular time.” The Sheriff goes on to state, “We believe the vehicle fire was an intentional fire as well.”

Perry Brown describes what he saw Wednesday morning. Photo by David Day

Brown also spots a burned towel on a fence

Brown reported that he saw a burned towel on a fence near the burning car. After investigators searched the area, they found a license plate near the towel.

“I think whoever set the vehicle on fire realized the plate was still on it and used the towel to tear the plate off the burning vehicle. They then threw it in the woods,” explained Brown.

The license plate was linked to the burned vehicle, connecting it to Owens.

On Wednesday evening, Hinds County deputies, along with the Ridgeland Police Department, responded to the Ridgeland Ranch Apartments on County Line Road. They towed a vehicle from the location and discovered evidence believed to be related to the disappearance of Ebony Owens in an apartment on the premises.

Missing person investigation is upgraded to a murder investigation

Sheriff Jones announced on his social media page at 4 p.m. on Thursday that the missing person investigation for Ebony Owens had been escalated to a murder investigation.

Michael Owens, 36.

Part of that post stated, “Owens died from at least one gunshot wound. Her husband, Michael Owens-36, is in custody and facing multiple charges. Her body has not been located.” Charges against Michael Owens, 36, will include murder and arson. One report claims that in addition to the burned vehicle and the evidence from the Ridgeland Ranch apartments, additional evidence has been found further west on Highway 80, near Bovina that was also linked to the murder.

The search for her body continues in the Big Black on 80

The investigation shifted towards searching for Ebony Owens’ body at the Big Black River.

Teams from Hinds County, Warren County and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks were all at a location on Highway 80 at the Big Black River on Thursday. Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace and his team had a boat in the water. MDWFP was seen using a drone and units from Hinds and Warren County were observed assisting and directing traffic over the bridge.

Units from several agencies assist in the search for Ebony Owens. Photo by David Day

Sheriff Pace attempted to once again launch earlier Friday morning but muddy conditions made that impossible.

[Update: 2:01 p.m. Friday, Mar. 17, 2023 – Sheriff Pace and authorities have launched and resumed search]