The Harrison County community is holding its collective breath after the tragic discovery of 6-year-old Gracelyn Vick, whose Sunday afternoon disappearance sparked a massive search effort. The first grader had simply gone outside to play on her family’s Saucier property when she vanished without a trace. What followed was a frantic six-hour search involving helicopters, drones, and scores of volunteers – ending with the devastating discovery of Gracelyn’s body near her home.
Sheriff Matt Haley confirmed the death but cautioned that it’s too early to determine circumstances or possible criminal involvement. The family’s rural property remained an active crime scene late into the evening as investigators documented every detail. This marks the third child Gracelyn’s mother has lost – following the deaths of a teenage daughter in a 2024 traffic collision and an 18-year-old son to medical causes in 2021. As the community mourns, grief counselors are helping Gracelyn’s young classmates process the loss at Saucier Elementary School.
