Debbie Collier’s death decided suicide

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — In a turn of events, the death of Debbie Collier was ruled a suicide by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Bureau of Medical Investigation, the Habersham County Sheriff said Friday.

After the coroner obtained Collier’s autopsy, it was determined that the 59-year-old’s death resulted from “superheated gas inhalation, thermal injuries and hydrocodone poisoning” and was believed to be “self-inflicted”.

The sheriff’s office said it contacted Collier’s family after receiving the coroner’s report to discuss the details of their investigation.

Detectives have been investigating the Athenian woman’s disappearance for several months after her family reported her missing on September 10. Collier’s body was found partially naked and burned on September 11 in a remote area along GA 15 and a ravine on Victory Home Lane in Clarkesville. The location is about 50 miles from their home in Athens.

11Alive has previously obtained surveillance video of Collier purchasing several items in a Family Dollar store 13 miles from where her body was found. In the video, police said Collier bought a rain poncho, a refillable lighter, a 2-roll pack of paper towels, a 7.5 x 9.5 OBD tarp and a reusable tote bag. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the tarp and tote bag were found at the scene next to her body.

Detectives previously said they were investigating her death as a homicide. The sheriff’s office earlier said in a news conference that the act was “premeditious and personal.”

There were also mysterious circumstances surrounding a $2,385 Venmo payment that was sent from Collier’s phone to her daughter’s phone the day before her body was found, along with a text that read: “You won’t let me go There is a house key under the flowerpot.”

The Habersham County Sheriff added that during his investigation, detectives issued 26 search warrants and subpoenas “regarding every form of social media, electronic communications, cellphone tracking data, bank records, and information from over 20 interviews with family members and prospects.” checked witnesses.”

The sheriff’s office said it would like to extend its “deepest condolences” to Collier’s family and friends.

“It is our hope and prayer that the results of this investigation will provide some sort of closure and allow the healing process to begin,” the sheriff’s office said in a release.

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