Social Media Helps Locate Member of Deceased Woman's Family, Investigation Continues

Thanks to a post on Social Media, local authorities have made contact with a member of a deceased woman's family.

In a release Tuesday afternoon, the City of Branson announces that contact has been made with a distant relative of Deborah Brown, whose remains were found in a field near the intersection of Highway 248 and Gretna Road in Branson in April and were positively identified last week.

The Branson Police Department credits the social media post and the over 2400 shares to finally make contact with a member of Brown's extended family.

The release also states that the investigation into Brown's death is continuing and asks anyone with information to call the Branson Police Department’s Tip Line at 417-334-1085 or fill out an online Crime Tip submission.

The complete release from the City of Branson is below:

The Branson Police Department is crediting a social media post and the 2,400 people who shared it nationwide, reaching more than 170,000 people, with finding a member of Deborah Brown’s extended family in just four days after releasing her picture and information.

Brown’s remains were discovered on April 10, 2021, near St Hwy 248 and Gretna Rd in Branson. Police asked for the community's help to find Brown’s family on May 7, after the remains had been positively identified through dental records. After hundreds of tips, messages and calls, police were able to successfully connect with a distant relative of Brown.

The Branson Police Department and the Taney County Coroner wish to thank all those who shared information, including all media outlets who helped disseminate this information.

“The response from our community, as well as people across the country, was great. Thank you to everyone who helped us with this. It was a true community effort to bring closure to Deborah Brown’s family,” said Branson Police Chief, Jeff Matthews.

This remains an active investigation. The Taney County Coroner and Branson Police detectives are still trying to figure out how Brown died. Any person with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Branson Police Department’s Tip Line at 417-334-1085 or fill out an online Crime Tip submission.