Vehicle pulled from water during search for missing LA woman off I-10 in Hancock County

Authorities late Friday found a vehicle in a body of water just off Interstate 10 in Hancock County, Mississippi, that matches the description of one driven by a missing Louisiana woman.

Shortly after 2 p.m., Mississippi authorities recovered Courtney Johnson’s 2016 Mazda 6, which appeared to have been driven off the roadway. The car was found submerged in water about eight miles from the state line.

A body was found inside, but it is unknown if the body is that of the 34-year-old missing woman.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal crash. However, foul play is not suspected.

A family member contacted the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana to report Johnson missing Wednesday after she failed to meet up with friends at a Biloxi-area casino as planned the day prior.

“My thoughts and prayers go out the family and friends of Courtney during this difficult time,” Sheriff Randy Smith said.

Traffic was backed up on I-10 eastbound in Hancock County for most of Friday.

One of Courtney’s friends told officers they had last heard from her after 6 p.m. Tuesday when she was driving to meet with them.

She is 5-foot-5, 160 pounds and has red hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Johnson is asked to contact sheriff’s Cpl. Justin Parker at 985-267-1348 or 985-898-2338.

This story was originally published June 25, 2021 at 3:21 PM.