Missing West Summerville Woman Found Deceased in Waste Transfer Trailer

West Summerville, GA — A tragic discovery was made Friday afternoon after a missing woman, Kimberly Lindsey, was found deceased in a waste transport trailer at the Chattooga County transfer station, according to Sheriff Mark A. Schrader.

Deputies were first dispatched shortly before 2 p.m. on October 17, 2025, after receiving a call about a possible stolen vehicle from a residence in West Summerville. The complainant told deputies that her mother, Kimberly Lindsey, had left earlier that morning in a vehicle belonging to her grandmother and had not been heard from since.

Later that day, family members located the vehicle behind the Family Dollar store on Commerce Street, near dumpsters behind the building. Some of Lindsey’s personal items were also found nearby. According to relatives, Lindsey often visited dumpsters to collect discarded items.

Sheriff Schrader and Chief Deputy Woods responded to the scene. Lindsey’s boyfriend told investigators that earlier in the week, he had to help her out of another dumpster after she became disoriented, possibly due to prescription medication.

At the Family Dollar location, deputies found the dumpsters had already been emptied earlier that day. Investigators quickly traced the waste’s destination to the Chattooga County transfer station, where a coordinated search effort was launched involving the Summerville Police Department, Capt. Railey, Commissioner Jason Winters, Mr. Ledford, Mr. Larkins with Chattooga County Public Works, and multiple other local agencies.

Crews used heavy equipment to remove large sections of waste before switching to a hand search, assisted by K9 Deputy Robinson. After a slow, methodical effort, Lindsey’s body was located inside one of the waste transport trailers.

The Chattooga County Coroner’s Office responded, and Lindsey’s remains were transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation.

“This was not the outcome we were hoping for,” Sheriff Schrader said. “But I’m thankful for the quick response and teamwork of everyone involved. If we hadn’t acted so fast, that trailer could have been moved out of the county, and this family might never have gotten closure. Please keep them in your prayers during this terrible tragedy.”