UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: HATTIE BROWN

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When an accomplished woman moves back to smalltown Virginia to care for an aging parent after retiring from the military, she’s excited to spend time with her large family. Her sudden disappearance leaves her family heartbroken as investigators search for evidence against a suspected killer in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Hattie Brown was 48-years-old when she went missing from Halifax Co., VA, in 2009. Image source: family photo.
Hattie was a decorated military veteran who retired from the US Army after a long and successful career. Image source: family photo.
Nearly two months after Hattie went missing, her vehicle was found hidden behind an unused barn in rural Halifax Co. Someone had set it on fire. Image source: police photo.
Hattie’s brother, James “Jimmy” Brown Jr went missing in 2013 at the age of 61. Investigators do not believe their disappearances are related. Image source: family photo.
Investigators say that Hattie’s nephew, Derek Brown, is a suspect in her disappearance. He has a significant criminal history. Image source: police booking photo published in the Danville Register & Bee.
Hattie was last seen at a Sheetz gas station in South Boston, VA. This surveillance still shows her about to enter the store. Image source: police photo.
Hattie was a kind, generous and driven woman who moved back to her hometown to help care for her elderly mother after retiring from the US Army. Image source: family photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Hattie Gertrude Brown (Virginia State Police Cold Case Database)

State Police Seek Help with Missing Halifax Woman, Car (Martinsville Bulletin)

Burned Vehicle Identified as Belonging to Missing Halifax Woman (SoVA Now)

Family Raising Money in Search for Missing Halifax Woman (Danville Register and Bee)

Nephew a Suspect in Disappearance (Matt Tomsic / Danville Register and Bee)

One Year Later, Search Continues (Carrie J. Sidener / The News and Advance)

‘See You in a Minute, Hattie Brown’ (The Gazette-Virginian)

Social Media, Family Efforts Influence Attention to Missing-Person Cases (Mark Bowes / Richmond Times Dispatch)

Family: What Happened to Hattie? (Carrie J. Sidener / The News and Advance)

After 2009 Disappearance, Family of Hattie Brown Suffers a Decade of Pain (Paula I. Bryant / The Gazette-Virginian)

Sibling Missing for Four Years, Family Keeps the Faith (Danville Register and Bee)

Open Case Virginia: 10 Years After Disappearance, Family of Missing Halifax County Woman Continues Search for Answers (Tim Saunders / WDBJ7 News)

Family of Missing Halifax County Woman Continues to Fight for Closure 12 Years Later (Michael Alachnowicz / WDBJ7 News)

13 Years Later, Family Wants Answers After Woman’s Disappearance (Kristen Mirand / ABC13 News)

New Surveillance Video Shows Last Moments Hattie Brown Was Seen Alive 15 Years Ago (Pattie Martin / ABC13 News)

Search Ongoing for Missing Halifax County Woman Last Seen 14 Years Ago (Jazmine Otey / WSLS10 News)

Reflecting on 15 Years Since Hattie Brown Vanished, Family and Police Hold on to Hope (Leila Mitchell / WDBJ7 News)

Alford Plea Entered to Armed Burglary (The Gazette-Virginian)

Hattie Gertrude Brown (The Gazette-Virginian)

Missing Person / NamUs #MP23035: James Oliver Brown Jr (NamUs)

Authorities Search Lake for Missing Man (The Gazette-Virginian)

Search for James Brown Jr Continues in Halifax Co. (Whitney Delbridge / ABC13 News)

Family of Hattie Brown Now Searching for Second Missing Relative (Whitney Delbridge / ABC13 News)

If you know anything about the disappearance of Hattie Brown–or her brother, Jimmy Brown–please call the Virginia State Police at (434) 352-7128. Or, if you prefer, e-mail your tip to: bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov

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