By Rupert Howell
Sheriff Dennis Darby reported Candice “Candy” Ramage, 40, who was the subject of a two-day search was found dead late Friday afternoon, the victim of an apparent suicide.

“We’re bringing in Gracie (Coroner Gracie Grant-Gulledge) now,” Darby said at approximately 4:45 p.m. Friday afternoon. “We’ve just contacted the family,” he stated.

Darby said a firearm was found with the body. He had earlier expressed concern that the victim had left a cell phone behind and taken a gun.

Coroner Gullege said after leaving the scene that no autopsy would be performed noting enough evidence existed to determine cause of death.

Ramage went missing Thursday morning and the search began that afternoon soon after family members reported her missing. The search went into the night Thursday and most of Friday.
Her body was found near Leslie Road in extreme south Panola county east of I-55 and south of Pope-Water Valley Road at approximately 4:15 p.m.

A helicopter and tracking specialists were involved in the lengthy search during the day joining deputies and other SO personnel, Emergency Operations personnel, Panola County Search and Rescue volunteers as well as the horse team of Bill and Laura McCurdy who live nearby.
“We had a ton of volunteers,” Cole said while acknowledging his appreciation to the entire group for working together to locate the victim. “We had volunteers lining up from neighboring counties,” he said stating that enough local manpower was available to do the job.

 Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. prior to the service on Wednesday.