Lanett Police Investigating Death of Missing Local Woman

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, at approximately 11:20 P.M., a family member reported to the Lanett Police Department that Teresa Finley, of Lanett, was believed to be missing. The family member stated she had been last seen at her residence in the Crystal Springs community earlier in the night. Family members advised that Ms. Finley had impaired cognitive abilities.

Officers immediately responded and began searching the surrounding area.

When initial search efforts were unsuccessful, additional resources were requested. The search operation expanded overnight and included aviation support from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, drone teams from the Lee County Emergency Management Agency, and assistance from the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, the Valley Police Department, and members of the Lanett Police Department.

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., an investigator with the Lanett Police Department located Ms. Finley in an obscure area behind Lanett Junior High School. Ms. Finley was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation conducted by the Lanett Police Department in coordination with the Chambers County Coroner’s Office indicates Ms. Finley became disoriented and succumbed to the dangerously cold overnight conditions. Preliminary information suggests exposure as a contributing factor. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.