Elizabeth Garrow-McDonald, a 19-year-old mother who had been missing for 4 days was found dead on September 27, 2020.
Have you seen Elizabeth Garrow-McDonald? If you have any information please call Madison County Sheriff's Office at 315.366.2311 pic.twitter.com/7OfZOtFcHS
— MadisonCountyNY (@MadisonCountyN1) September 25, 2020
Background
Lizzie, as her friends and family called her, had been missing since Wednesday, September 23.
She was last seen at a Dunkin’ Donuts on Peterboro Street in Canastota around 11:45 a.m.
Canastota is near Syracuse.
At the Dunkin’ Donuts, Lizzie was with her husband, George McDonald Jr.
The Husband
On Friday 9/25, Lizzie’s husband George McDonald Jr., 24, was arrested for violating the terms of his probation.
In addition, the District Attorney’s Office charged him with criminal contempt.
Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood confirmed at a Monday news conference that charges against George McDonald are not related to his wife’s disappearance.
Lizzie and George had a rocky relationship.
They married after a very brief courtship.
And Lizzie reportedly had a restraining order against George.
George’s probation was allegedly related to a strangulation charge, but there are no further details on if the victim was his wife.
Search and Discovery
On Saturday, over 100 officials searched about 100 square miles of land that included swamps and ponds.
Sheriff Hood publicly thanked all of those officials in a Facebook post.
“Thank you to New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, New York State Police, Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department, Canastota Police Department, U.S. Marshalls, Madison County Search and Rescue, Oswego County Search and Rescue, Massasuaga Search and Rescue, and Wilderness Search and Rescue for their assistance today.”
Police have now cleared the scene where a body was found this morning believed to be Elizabeth Garrow-McDonald off of N. Main St. in Canastota next to the thruway. @CNYCentral pic.twitter.com/7Upmu7kLbG
— Tony Black (@tonyblacknews) September 27, 2020
The next day, the following statement appeared on Facebook:
“Sheriff Todd Hood says that earlier today a body matching the description of Elizabeth was located. Authorities are awaiting an autopsy for confirmation of identification. The investigation into this case is ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Elizabeth’s family.”
The Investigation
Sheriff Hood indicated that there are “people of interest” being investigated.
He did not elaborate who or how many there are.
Grieving Family and Friends
Lizzie leaves behind her 1-year-old daughter Annovia.
She also has 2 sisters, 27-year-old Emily Lloyd and 25-year-old Melissa Bush.
Her grieving mother Samantha Campbell was praying for Lizzie’s safe return.
On Friday she told CNY New York Central:
“I just hope that she comes home safely, and I love you Lizzie wherever you are at mom loves you. If you can’t get somewhere, I hope God watches over you and helps you because I am praying, and I miss you.”
Ironically Melissa Bush gave birth to a daughter on the morning of her sister Lizzie’s disappearance.
She spoke with Lizzie less than an hour before she disappeared.
Lizzie was eager to meet her new niece.
And she was preparing to be a mother again also.
Lizzie recently told both of her sisters she was 6 weeks pregnant.
Both sisters believe George McDonald is involved.
The investigation is ongoing.
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