Jolinda reported Bethany as missing after she failed to hear from her daughter, discovered her dog locked inside the condo without food or water, and found no signs of Bethany or her car at the residence.
The last known location of Bethany was in the South Asheville area, where she spent most of her time before her disappearance. She also made a transaction at a convenience store on the east side of town around 5 a.m.
Bethany's car, a black Toyota hatchback, was found abandoned in a grocery store parking lot in Swannanoa, North Carolina, about 10 miles from her condo. The car had been there for about two weeks and was parked in an area not covered by security cameras.
Bethany struggled with mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and anxiety, which impacted her relationships, career, and overall stability. She had periods of improvement but also experienced significant setbacks, including substance abuse and homelessness.
Bethany had a deep bond with her father, who passed away when she was 11 years old. His death had a profound impact on her, leading to significant emotional struggles and a decline in her mental health.
Before her disappearance, Bethany worked part-time from home as a writer, creating content for websites. She also had experience working with children, including as a river guide and in after-school programs.
The pandemic exacerbated Bethany's isolation, limiting her social interactions and making it harder for her to connect with others. This isolation likely contributed to her mental health struggles.
Those who knew Bethany before her disappearance were shocked by the news of her disappearance and the stories of her panhandling. They struggled to reconcile the Bethany they knew—a bright, caring, and ambitious person—with the person described in the news.
Jolinda feared that the police might not take Bethany's disappearance seriously due to her mental health issues and past behavior, which had led to her being labeled as a
Swannanoa, where Bethany's car was found and where she attended college, became a key area of interest in the investigation. Her phone last pinged in the Swannanoa area, and her car was abandoned there, suggesting a possible connection to her disappearance.
In the week leading up to Thanksgiving 2021, Bethany Collins Buckles was making holiday plans with her mother, Jolinda. Bethany was at her condo in Asheville, North Carolina, while Jolinda was at her home in Atlanta, Georgia. Jolinda planned to drive to Asheville for the holiday, and they were creating a shopping list to send to the grocery store for pick-up. This way, they would have everything they needed to prepare Thanksgiving dinner once Jolinda arrived in town.
Before ending their call, they agreed to finalize their plans the next day. However, Jolinda never heard from Bethany again. Concerned and unable to drive to Bethany's condo from Atlanta, she contacted the Asheville Police Department to request a welfare check. An officer reported back that no one was home and that Bethany's car was not parked outside.
When Jolinda eventually arrived in Asheville, she went to Bethany's condo and discovered that her little dog had been left locked inside for days without food or water, which was very unlike Bethany. This prompted Jolinda to report her daughter as missing. As the investigation into Bethany's disappearance began, the authorities uncovered several strange clues. Years later, those clues have still not led to any breakthroughs in finding Bethany.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Bethany Collins Buckles, please contact Detective Kevin Taylor from the Asheville Police Department at 828-259-5945.
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