Olivia Fowler Missing, What Happened To Olivia Fowler? Where Was Olivia Fowler Last Seen?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Aug 23, 2023
Olivia Fowler Missing
On August 14, 2021, their cousin filed a report regarding Olivia's disappearance. Investigators from Meriwether County responded to a tip in a rural area of Meriwether County, Georgia, where potential human remains were discovered. The subsequent release reveals that these remains were then transferred for analysis to both the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab and the FBI Crime Lab
On August 21, 2023, officers from Meriwether County, in collaboration with FBI Agents from the Columbus Resident Agency, met with and informed the immediate family members of Olivia Samantha Fowler that the remains found in December 2022 indeed belonged to Olivia. This identification was confirmed through DNA testing, as stated in the release.
The release also outlines that the focus of Olivia's case has now shifted from a "missing person case to a death investigation." Roxanne Fowler, speaking to Dateline, expressed her concerns about her sister's disappearance: "I knew something was wrong. It’s a sister thing."
Nearly a year has passed since Roxanne's elder sister, 27-year-old Olivia Fowler, was last seen in Meriwether County, Georgia. "It’s been an incredibly difficult time," Roxanne shared. "There’s just absolutely no trace of her."
The Fowler sisters grew up in Woodbury, Georgia, within the confines of Meriwether County. "It’s a really small town," Roxanne remarked. "We only have one grocery store." Despite the town's size, Roxanne revealed to Dateline that she and her sister always managed to find ways to stay engaged. "We would often take drives, listen to music," she recounted.
Their bond deepened when both sisters became pregnant at roughly the same time. "Family meant the world to her," Roxanne mentioned. "She wasn't one for many friends; her heart was always with her family." Olivia's three young children reside with Olivia and Roxanne's cousin, who has legal custody of them.
"[Olivia] didn't have consistent housing," Roxanne explained, noting that Olivia divided her time between their mother's home in Manchester and their father's residence in Woodbury, a mere 15 minutes apart.
Roxanne recalled to Dateline her last interaction with her sister on the morning of August 12, 2021, at their mother's place. "My mom had looked after my son, and I was getting ready to head out to work," Roxanne recounted. "[Olivia] was getting ready to take a shower. She asked if she could borrow my phone to play music." Roxanne added that Olivia did not own a phone at that time. "I told her I had to go to work -- I was already running late. So, I told her I loved her and left."
That moment marked the final time Roxanne saw her sister.
Olivia stands at 5'2", and weighs 105 lbs. She has dirty blonde hair with blonde highlights and green eyes. A missing tooth on the right side of her mouth and an 'I love you' tattoo on the inner elbow of her right arm are distinctive features. Roxanne mentioned that the letter 'I' in the tattoo has slightly faded over time.
What Happened To Olivia Fowler?
Olivia Fowler was 26 years old when she disappeared, leaving behind her role as a mother to three young children. Tamara McCoy, her aunt who rallied the community with "Olivia's Army" to aid in the search, conveyed to FOX 5 Atlanta in September 2021, "Olivia wouldn’t go 40 days without reaching out to her family." Taking matters into their own hands, the family engaged a private investigator. Financing for their independent inquiry materialized through car washes and various events.
On December 16, 2022, authorities in Meriwether County responded to a tip in a rural expanse of the same county in Georgia, where potential human remains were uncovered. Subsequently, these remains were forwarded for examination to both the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab and the FBI Crime Lab, as detailed in the subsequent release.
The Fowler sisters were nurtured in the modest confines of Woodbury, Georgia, a tight-knit region within Meriwether County. "It’s a really small town," Roxanne noted. "We only have one grocery store." Despite its size, Roxanne disclosed to Dateline that she and her sister found myriad ways to engage themselves. "We would often take drives, and listen to music," she recounted.
Their connection grew stronger when both sisters became expectant mothers around the same period. "Her family was her cornerstone," Roxanne underscored. "She didn't have an extensive circle of friends; her devotion was to her family." Olivia's three young children are currently under the care of Olivia and Roxanne's cousin, who has legal guardianship of them.
"[Olivia] experienced inconsistency in housing," Roxanne explained, highlighting that Olivia split her time between their mother's dwelling in Manchester and their father's domicile in Woodbury, a mere quarter-hour journey apart.
Roxanne shared with Dateline her final interaction with her sister on the morning of August 12, 2021, at their maternal residence. "My mom had looked after my son, and I was getting ready to head out to work," Roxanne recounted. "[Olivia] was preparing to take a shower. She asked if she could borrow my phone to play music." Roxanne added that Olivia didn't possess a phone at that juncture. "I told her I needed to get to work -- I was already behind schedule. So, I told her I loved her and departed."
Where Was Olivia Fowler Last Seen?
Fowler, a devoted mother of three, was observed for the last time on August 13, 2021, strolling along Pebblebrook Road on the outskirts of Manchester in Meriwether County, Georgia. The scope of Olivia's connections extends to Meriwether County, as well as Harris County, Talbot County, and Upson County, all within the state of Georgia.
Olivia stands at 5 feet 2 inches, weighs 105 pounds, adorned with a mix of dirty blonde hair featuring blonde highlights and captivating green eyes. A void on the right side of her mouth where a tooth once was highlights her unique features, while the words 'I love you' etched on the inner curve of her right arm hold a special significance. Roxanne noted that the letter 'I' in the tattoo has slightly faded over time.
At the stroke of 10:30 a.m. on the pivotal date of August 13, 2021, a DNR ranger had a glimpse of Fowler traversing Pebblebrook Road in Meriwether County, positioned just outside the realm of Manchester, a two-hour journey to the south of Atlanta. This observation turned out to be the last documented sighting of her.
Both the diligent law enforcement team and her devoted family attest that this marked the final instance of her being seen. Olivia had been attired in a tie-dye shirt, white cutoff shorts, and black flip-flops as she was last noted.
The family of Olivia sustained an unwavering commitment to raising awareness within the community about her case, as well as the broader issue of missing and murdered women in the southern vicinity of Atlanta.
Expanding on Olivia's affiliations, the FBI underscored her connections to Meriwether County, along with Harris, Talbot, and Upson counties, creating a network that spans several locales within Georgia.
Is Olivia Fowler Found?
In a somber development, the FBI has confirmed the definitive identification of remains discovered in December 2022 as belonging to the young mother, Olivia Fowler, who had been missing for over two years. The heart-wrenching announcement arrives as a poignant conclusion to a lengthy period of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Meriwether County woman.
On the day of August 13, 2021, a ranger from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, who was familiar with Fowler, had encountered her walking along a remote rural road. Her attire consisted of a tie-dye T-shirt and casual sandals, etching that moment into memory.
With a poignant solemnity, the FBI disclosed that the recently conducted DNA testing unequivocally confirmed the identity of the found remains as those of Olivia Fowler. This revelation has prompted a significant shift in the case, transitioning it from a search for a missing person to an active death investigation.
Sheriff Chuck Smith candidly shared, "While the outcome regarding Olivia Samantha Fowler's disappearance is not the outcome any of the family or law enforcement desired, our commitment to this investigation remains steadfast. There are still aspects of evidence to be meticulously analyzed and processed. Presently, our foremost objective is to afford the family the space to mourn."
The sheriff further conveyed the family's heartfelt sentiment, asserting, "The family wishes to convey that Olivia was not only a devoted mother but also a cherished daughter, sister, grandchild, and an indispensable member of the Fowler family. These are challenging moments for them now and ahead. We earnestly implore the public to honor their request for privacy and empathy."
The FBI's Columbus Resident Agency had stepped into the search in May 2022, a resolute step taken by Fowler's loved ones who clung to a renewed sense of hope. At that juncture, Olivia's sister Roxanne Fowler shared a reflective optimism, saying, "Perhaps, with time, the truth will gradually unveil itself. We hold on to the prospect of gaining answers soon."
Meriwether County investigators, with their unyielding dedication, had been actively pursuing leads in the case, with a determination that echoed loudly. The FBI's involvement in May was noted with a sense of reserved acknowledgment.
Olivia Fowler Missing - FAQs
Olivia Fowler was last seen on August 13, 2021.
On August 14, 2021, Olivia Fowler was reported missing by her cousin.
A Georgia Department of Natural Resources ranger reported seeing Olivia Fowler walking along a rural road on August 13, 2021.
Olivia Fowler is described as being 5'2", 105 lbs, with dirty blonde hair, blonde highlights, green eyes, and a missing tooth on the right side of her mouth. She also has the words 'I love you' tattooed on her right arm.
Remains were found in December 2022, and DNA testing by the FBI confirmed that they belonged to Olivia Fowler.