Who Was Meagan Reed?
Meagan was born in 1990 and was an incredibly bright, creative soul. She was a talented artist who loved to draw and paint, and she even won a statewide story-writing competition when she was in grade school. Before the struggles of addiction took hold, Meagan had big dreams of becoming a physical therapist to help handicapped children. She was also a mother to two young children who now know her through the photos and stories kept alive by their grandmother. Her mother, Alice, remembers her as a sweet child who was deeply loved by her family.
“She was the cutest little blondheaded blue-eyed baby girl that you’d ever seen and she was definitely her daddy’s girl.”
A Heartbreaking Discovery in the Holler
The nightmare began in August 2018 when Meagan headed across the mountain to Boone County to visit the father of her children. Alice initially wasn’t worried when Meagan didn’t return the next day because Meagan was resourceful and often stayed with her boyfriend. However, the situation turned grim when Alice received a Facebook message about a body found in a creek in Printer Holler. Meagan’s remains had been left in the elements for about two weeks, and it was eventually her unique tattoos that helped authorities identify her. The most painful part for her family is the realization that those who were with Meagan chose to leave her there rather than calling for help.
“You didn’t have to leave my daughter out there to decay and for no one to know where she was. It’s very heartless if that’s what happened.”
The Search for Closure and a Call to Action
The investigation into Meagan’s death remains open, led by Lieutenant McCarti, who has been haunted by the case for years. While the autopsy listed drug use and possible drowning as factors, the central question is why she was abandoned. Alice refuses to let her daughter’s memory fade and regularly posts on social media, hoping that someone from Meagan’s circle of friends will finally find the courage to tell the truth. She prays not only for justice for Meagan but also for others suffering from addiction to find the path to recovery. The community is urged to come forward with any information, no matter how small, to finally bring peace to this family.
“All I would need is one of the people that knew to come forward and go, this is what happened, and unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet.”
To truly understand the weight of this case and hear the details directly from Alice and the Lieutenant, you need to watch the full interview. It is a powerful conversation about loss, the reality of addiction, and the search for peace in the heart of Appalachia.
