News Summary
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the community’s assistance in locating multiple women reported missing in Augusta. Among them is 57-year-old Penny Black, last seen following her eviction. Additionally, 40-year-old Joanna Powell and 25-year-old Summr Finklin were reported missing this week. Authorities emphasize public cooperation to aid in the search for these individuals. Community concern is growing as investigations continue, and families are left anxious without answers.
Augusta – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) is actively seeking the public’s assistance in locating multiple missing women in the Augusta area, including 57-year-old Penny Black, who was reported missing on May 1st. Black was last seen on the 1400 block of Walton Way following her eviction from her apartment.
Penny Black is one of three women who were reported missing this week. The RCSO also received a report concerning 40-year-old Joanna Powell, who was last seen on June 13th when she left her residence on the 700 block of Vincent Avenue in Aiken. Family members indicated that Powell may have been with an unidentified male in the vicinity of Washington Road and Davis Road in Columbia County.
Additionally, 25-year-old Summr Finklin was reported missing after last being seen on the 3500 block of Spring Glen Lane at around 1:30 am on June 22nd. The authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these women to contact the RCSO at either 706-821-1080 or 706-821-1020.
In a related case, 65-year-old Susan Rhodes has been missing for two weeks, having disappeared on June 11th after a vehicle accident on Gregory Lake Road. Witnesses reported that Rhodes seemed disoriented as she wandered away from her vehicle, which had ended up in a ditch. Despite a significant search effort, which included K-9 units, drones, and a helicopter equipped with infrared technology, there has been no further information found regarding her situation.
Following her disappearance, authorities managed to make brief phone contact with Rhodes, during which she reportedly displayed signs of confusion and disorientation. Currently, investigators are still searching for leads in her case.
The search efforts extend beyond the recent reported cases of missing women. Barnwell County deputies are investigating another case involving 43-year-old Brad Keith Dale, who was last seen on June 15th. Officials from the North Augusta Department of Public Safety are also actively pursuing leads associated with the various missing-person investigations. The situation has heightened community concern about safety and the urgency of locating these individuals.
Residents in the area are encouraged to remain vigilant and assist in the search where possible. The RCSO is committed to solving these troubling cases and returning the missing individuals to their families and loved ones. The emphasis on public cooperation is critical, as community awareness can significantly impact the outcome of these missing person reports.
The RCSO continues to monitor incoming information and work collaboratively with other law enforcement agencies to address this troubling trend of missing persons in the Augusta region. Authorities are dedicated to applying all available resources to ensure these cases receive the attention they require.
The families of the missing women are naturally distressed, as uncertainty and anxiety continue to grow with each passing day without answers. The community remains hopeful that, with the aid of the public, these individuals will be found safe and sound.
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Additional Resources
- WJBF News
- Wikipedia: Missing Person
- MSN News
- Google Search: Missing Persons Augusta
- WRDW News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Persons
- The Georgia Sun
- Google News: Augusta Missing Women
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
