Sheriffs Jones, Pace update on multi-agency effort to recover Ebony Owens

The search for Ebony Owens’ body is ongoing at the Big Black River. The Vicksburg Daily News met up with Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones and Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace on Thursday to receive an update on the search progress.

Teams from Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and Warren County Emergency Management have been assisting in the search efforts.

“There will be more personnel that has been summoned to the scene to assist us with this investigation,” said Sheriff Jones. “More equipment and more experts will also be available to assist us today.”

Authorities searching the area remain hopeful that Ebony Owens will be found and returned to her family soon.

Ebony Owens

“Our objective and goal is to be able to locate this young lady and return her to her family for a proper burial,” said Sheriff Jones.

Last week, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones announced that the case into the disappearance of Ebony Owens was updated to a murder investigation.

On Wednesday, Mar. 15, a 2015 White Acura TXL, believed to be owned by Owens, was found burnt in the vicinity of Old Highway 80 and Jones Road in Hinds County. The family of Ebony Owens reported her missing on the same day, according to a tweet from Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones.

“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 in an earlier interview. “This was at about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday [Mar. 15] 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 [Mar. 14].”

In a post on Twitter, Sheriff Jones stated in part, “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.”

Michael Owens, 36.

A judge in Hinds County on Monday denied bond for Michael Owens and dumping her body in the Big Black River. He faces multiple charges related to the case, including murder and arson.