By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
An Atmore woman, reported missing early Sunday morning (September 5) after she left Wind Creek Casino, was later located — safe and sound, but unclothed — on an Interstate 65 entry ramp.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks reported that Victoria Shakeem Alishia Beckham was located near Exit 57 after an extensive search.
“Apparently, a man and the woman went to the casino (earlier Sunday),” Brooks said. “He went out to his car to sleep while his girlfriend stayed in there playing. Then, about 2 a.m., she walks out and leaves the property.”
Beckham was reportedly seen in a vacant field just south of the casino, leading to a concentrated search of that area.
“I don’t know if she was intoxicated or what; it’s just a mystery,” the police chief said. “Some witnesses said they had seen her in that field, partially clothed, so we concentrated our search efforts there, thinking maybe she had a medical emergency.”
Authorities launched an all-out hunt for the woman, as resources from several agencies were called in to assist city police.
“We had a K9 team from the prison; we had a drone fly over; we had an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency helicopter out there,” Brooks said. “Then, out of the blue, she shows up at the entrance ramp of the northbound lane of I-65 and (Alabama) 21, totally nude. It all sounds a little fishy to me, but it is what it is.”
Beckham was taken to Atmore Community Hospital, where she was reportedly treated and released.