BREAKING NEWS: Body found in Nottoway has been confirmed as Olene Brooks

*Note: Body found in Nottoway has been confirmed as Olene Brooks, below is the story that appeared in this week’s Messenger that hit newsstands before we received the confirmation.

A body found in Nottoway County is believed to be a missing Amelia woman, Olene Brooks, but authorities have not confirmed the identity as the investigation is ongoing.

Body found in Nottoway
believed to be Amelia woman

NOTTOWAY – A body found by a fisherman last week in Nottoway County is believed to be Olene Brooks of Amelia who has been missing since January 21, 2016.

The body was found in the woods near Route 307 in Nottoway. This location is around 15 miles from the area where Brooks was last seen alive before being abducted by her former son-in-law, Dana William.

Nottoway deputies and police were seen near Morrisetts Mill Road, near Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Park last Thursday.

While Nottoway authorities have noted that the incident is still under investigation pending final identification, reports indicate that family members of Olene Brooks have said that police authorities told them they believed the body was likely Brooks.

Reports also indicated that zip-ties were found on the remains of the body and this was consistent with testimony that zip-ties were used by William  to tie up Brooks and family members during the initial incident in January.

During the January incident, William allegedly zip-tied, duct-taped and held family members hostage.  Woodell Brooks was found murdered at the couple’s Amelia home after Olene Brooks was taken.

William reportedly used a 2010 Silver Dodge Caravan to abduct Brooks.

The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, working with Massachusetts State Police, located William at an apartment in Fitchburg, Mass. where they attempted to arrest him. However, William shot and critically wounded himself as officers prepared to enter and arrest him. William was released from prison around six months prior to allegedly abducting Brooks.