UPDATED AT Jan. 18, 2022:

The Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office said a body matching the description of Ahrea’l Smith has been found.

The sheriff’s office said they had more than 50 people on the ground searching for Smith, but unfortunately, the search ended after a body was found on a property in Heathsville.

“After an extensive search operation throughout the day, search crews located a body, matching the description of Ahrea’l Smith, on a property in Heathsville,” Sheriff Johnny Beauchamp said. “Her body will be sent to the medical examiner’s office in Richmond for an autopsy.”

50-year-old Tyrone Samuel of Heathsville was charged with abduction of Smith on Saturday. Deputies would not confirm if the body was found on Samuel’s property or where search efforts ended.

Officials said more charges are being sought in connection.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Ahrea’l Smith, 28
Claraville, VA
Last seen January 12, 2022

A Virginia woman is pleading for help after her sister was allegedly abducted last week from the convenience store where she worked.

Ahrea’l Smith was about to leave work for the night Wednesday when she was seen on surveillance video taking trash outside. She was not seen again, and the next morning, her car was found still running outside the store.

Lydia Smith, her older sister, told “NewsNation Prime” that Ahrea’l texted her about a strange person outside the store.

“She said that someone at the door made her feel uncomfortable,” Lydia Smith said. “She never really said a name, but she said that someone, you know, made her feel uncomfortable.

“But not that she was afraid. When she went to that trash the last look on her face was her normal self. Her demeanor was calm. Somebody was waiting and they snatched her.”

Lydia Smith said her sister likely didn’t have time to tell anyone she worked with since she was closing up by herself.

According to a release posted to the office’s Facebook page, Tyrone N. Samuel, 50, of Heathsville, Virginia was arrested Jan. 15 and charged with Smith’s abduction.

Lydia Smith broke down when she was asked what she would like to say to Ahrea’l.

“I love her, and I wish I could have kept her safe. That’s all I got. I miss her. I pray that she’s safe and unharmed, and I just want her to come home. For real man, it’s been, like, five days. That’s my baby sister.”

Family members are offering a $2,000 reward as well as a $1,000 reward offered by Little Sue Corp. for information that leads deputies to Smith’s location.

Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success (YESS) is offering up to $5,000, Bright Eyes Concession Food Truck has offered $2,400 and Ball’s Landscaping has offered $1,000 — bringing the total amount of reward money for information up to $9,400.

Anyone with information that could help is urged to contact the Northumberland County Sheriffs Office at 804-580-5221.

Article from: https://fox8.com/