By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A body discovered in an unincorporated part of southern Shelby County is believed to be that of a Columbiana teen who has been missing since July 7, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is awaiting positive confirmation on the identity from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

On July 11 at 11:45 a.m., Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered a 2003 red Ford Mustang belonging to missing 18-year-old Haleigh Danielle Green near Shelby County 315 in unincorporated Shelby County.
Sheriff’s investigators were in the area of Shelby County 315 following leads in Green’s missing person case. Investigators observed what appeared to be a red Ford Mustang in a densely, wooded area, according to the SCSO.
The SCSO then requested the assistance of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Aviation Unit in searching the immediate area of the vehicle. Within the immediate area of Haleigh’s Mustang, SCSO investigators located a deceased body after an “extensive” search, according to Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego.
As of July 11, the SCSO was still awaiting positive identification and cause of death for the victim from the Department of Forensic Sciences.

“This afternoon, I met with Haleigh’s parents. I ask that you join me in lifting up the Green family during this difficult time,” Samaniego said in a video posted to the SCSO Facebook page. “Our investigators are working diligently until all the facts in this case are revealed.”

The SCSO reported Green missing on July 7, and said Green was last seen in the area of Egg and Butter Road in Columbiana on July 6 at about 9:30 a.m. Green did not attend her classes at Lawson State Community College on July 6 or 7.

Many Columbiana residents banded together to assist in the search for Green, and held a prayer rally at Shelby County High School on July 8.