What we know about the investigation into 23-year-old woman found dead in Macon

Investigators were still searching Friday for a possible suspect connected to what appeared to be a fatal hit-and-run a day prior in south Macon, according to the Bibb County Coroner’s Office.

The 23-year-old victim, Ronni Nykole Abbott, was reported missing Wednesday, a day before her body was found in a wooded area beside Rocky Creek Road near Robinhood Road in south Macon.

Abbott’s body was expected to undergo an autopsy Friday, according to Deputy Coroner Luann Stone, who pronounced her dead Wednesday afternoon. Preliminary autopsy results may show the extent of Abbott’s injuries by next week.

The incident initially “appeared to be a hit-and-run,” but investigators were still unsure Friday, according to the Bibb County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices.

It appeared a vehicle struck her “because of the damage to her body,” Coroner Leon Jones said.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said it couldn’t provide further details when asked by The Telegraph Friday, but urged the public in a news release to contact officials if anyone has information.

“Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751 -7500 or the Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME,” the sheriff’s office said.

Loved ones of Abbott shared messages to Facebook prior to her body being discovered, concerned about where she was. Facebook user Dekotah Towles tagged Abbott in a post Wednesday afternoon, asking for help finding her.

“If anyone has heard or seen Ronni since last night around 8/9pm please let me or Lyssa know,” Towles said. “No one’s seen or heard from her in hours & this ain’t like her to not give people a heads up or no info at all!”