Leads pursued in missing woman case

Published 5:33 pm Tuesday, December 29, 2015

THOMASVILLE — A phone call resulting from a Tuesday Times-Enterprise story generated an encouraging lead in the case of a woman missing since late November.

However, the phone call did not lead investigators to Toni Rayburn, 44, who was last seen at a Spruce Lane residence on Nov. 27.

The caller gave Thomas County Sheriff’s Office investigators the name of a man with whom the missing woman allegedly had been seen.

Lt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator, said two men in Thomas County have the same name given by the caller. Both were interviewed.

“Neither has seen her,” Watkins said Tuesday morning. “We still have not found her.”

Said investigator Pascal Autrey, in reference to one of the men, “I found him, and he said he didn’t even know her.”

It had been relayed to investigators that Rayburn was seen at a Coolidge store with the man last week.

Watkins said Tuesday foul play still is not suspected in the case.

Rayburn’s mother reported her daughter missing on Dec. 14.

On Monday, Watkins said Rayburn argued with residents of the Spruce Lane house where she had been staying. The residents left for a short time. When they returned, Rayburn was gone.

It is unusual for Rayburn’s children to not hear from their mother, Watkins said.

Anyone with information about Rayburn is asked to call 225-3315 or 225-3333.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.