Found Deceased FL - Stephanie Chitwood Hollingsworth, 50, Belle Isle, 25 Sept 2020

[Seattle1]

I'm just finding it so very unusual that her vehicle isn't showing up on camera. At least not that we know of.

I'm really trying not to give a side eye to her husband, he strikes me as sincere. I could be totally wrong about that.

I took the "making her family lunch and drinks" as meaning lunch and ice tea or lemonade or whatever, too, not necessarily alcoholic drinks.

We've seen some very tragic cases of women going off and suiciding lately. I'm very worried about Stephanie and I hope for a positive outcome in this.

I just saw her Instagram for the first time. Her eldest just turned 21 on Sept 24. SH is in fantastic shape - aerial yoga shots! Not seeing the mental alarm or not what I expected from one teetering on the edge. I too am back to SH lost in the water.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Big news! Police cleared husband, family.
Police: Husband, his family ruled out as persons of interest in disappearance of Belle Isle mother

This is not surprising to me. I never thought the family was involved. They're trying so hard to find her and seem very sincere and genuine in their love for her. The husband seems very forthcoming with the good, bad and the ugly. Anything to find his wife. I'm still thinking woods or water. Just like those ladies that were found in the median on I-10 about 3 days after crashing. If the brakes weren't applied there may not be any track marks. Intense searching is what it will take.

Snip:
"Scott has been exceedingly cooperative with us throughout the investigation and has supplied all the information requested by detectives," the Belle Isle Police Department said.

 

[oviedo]

It's settled -- very rare to see police ever say this before a person located:

Husband, family of missing Belle Isle woman were never suspects

Oct 15, 2020

On Thursday, Belle Isle Police Chief Laura Houston issued a statement about Hollingsworth and her family, saying “Her husband, Scott Hollingsworth and his immediate family have been ruled out as persons of interest in her disappearance. Scott has been exceedingly cooperative with us throughout the investigation and has supplied all the information requested by detectives. We will not be commenting any further on this matter.”

[..]

Scott Hollingsworth was never considered a suspect and has not been reported as one since his wife’s disappearance. It’s unclear what prompted the clarification from the department.

There’s a $10,000 reward for information on Hollingsworth and her family has set up a command post at the Walmart location where she was last seen.

Scott Hollingsworth and other family members held a news conference Tuesday asking major tech companies to help find Stephanie Hollingsworth’s 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe.

It really surprises me that LE has made this statement. They must have investigated to publicly state this - Belle Isle isn't a very large city - I wonder if Orange County Sheriff is assisting?
JMO

 

[CluelessWonder]

I told you so. I am a pretty good judge of character. Scott is a good guy. And the circumstances seem pretty clear.

I know that he has said that she sometimes leaves her phone at home. But I don't think someone who is planning to sit in a parking lot to drink would want to be without a phone. This really worries me because I think it may indicate her intentions. And I think it also may be why it is so difficult to locate her.

Another thing that I was thinking is that she might have stopped for another mixer if she really doesn't like to drink straight alcohol. Of course, she only had so much gas and, apparently, not much money.

 

[Meligator]

It really surprises me that LE has made this statement. They must have investigated to publicly state this - Belle Isle isn't a very large city - I wonder if Orange County Sheriff is assisting?
JMO

I’m sure he was a person of interest (as any husband would be in initial stages of the investigation), but they must have sufficient evidence to rule him out. I think this statement helps focus public attention in the right direction (keeping an eye out for her truck) vs speculating about theories involving family involvement.

 

[oviedo]

I’m sure he was a person of interest (as any husband would be in initial stages of the investigation), but they must have sufficient evidence to rule him out. I think this statement helps focus public attention in the right direction (keeping an eye out for her truck) vs speculating about theories involving family involvement.

Yes the rumors here locally are terrible - we will see if this calms all the armchair detectives down
JMO

 

[Dnp2be]

I feel like I read early a warning not to approach the car. Perhaps a weapon is also missing, which would leave the family knowing what likely happened, just not where.

Hoping of course she's safe in a treatment center somewhere....

And not in a storage container. We've already seen that tragic ending.

My heart goes out to her family.

JMO

I was just about to ask if they had any storage units and if they had been checked. Such a sad outcome for that family. I too hope for a better one for this family. I do hope she is in treatment, possibly doing no contact for a minute in order to avoid triggers and focus on her self and her sobriety.

 

[azure]

It really surprises me that LE has made this statement. They must have investigated to publicly state this - Belle Isle isn't a very large city - I wonder if Orange County Sheriff is assisting?
JMO

I doubt LE ever suspected the husband, from day one all articles made it sound like she left on her own. I think the relentless accusations (even, to a lesser degree, on this site) forced them to make that statement.

 

[Dnp2be]

Also, I would assume all computers and her phone was checked for any calls, pages she may have looked into right before for treatment. Maybe she found a bed sooner elsewhere. Or maybe she wanted to go somewhere farther away for treatment. Maybe she left her phone knowing it would discourage her from calling any possible triggers. And she bought the vodka as a last hoorah before driving to treatment? Many places don’t allow communication for some time after getting admitted. Just throwing some stuff out there. All MOO

 

[JudgeJoe]

This case has pretty much dropped out of msm. So much water in FL. How will they ever find her? Drones? Brutal situation for her sons & husband.

 

[MissUnderstood]

I’ve been in threads when people are suspicious that info on the missing person is not disclosed. Now here, we have been given the info, and there is still suspicions. I don’t think there is a right or wrong with what the loved ones disclose, the significant other will always get the side eye!
I don’t get that vibe here FWIW.
Moo

 

[DEB-Z]

Also, I would assume all computers and her phone was checked for any calls, pages she may have looked into right before for treatment. Maybe she found a bed sooner elsewhere. Or maybe she wanted to go somewhere farther away for treatment. Maybe she left her phone knowing it would discourage her from calling any possible triggers. And she bought the vodka as a last hoorah before driving to treatment? Many places don’t allow communication for some time after getting admitted. Just throwing some stuff out there. All MOO

The story has been covered nationally:
Sure if she was in treatment, the facility; would have contacted the police department...
Unfortunately without seeing her car on security videos, or physically finding it;
I would suspect she is in the water,
or a ditch, inside her car following an accident...
Only other option I could think of:
1.) A stranger abduction, if she was in a park drinking, and her car is in a garage, or on property of abductor...
2.) She had a burner phone, and was having an affair, or wanted to escape her life...
Might not want to take her phone due to family could track her location...
(She could have been squirreling away cash)
MOO
Regardless of reason my heart goes out to her family...

 

[Lusitana]

There's no way she is in a treatment facility anywhere. In my opinion, she left her phone at home because she didn't want to get contacted by anyone and/or have her location tracked. What are the chances of her actually having way more gas than her husband thinks she had in her car? And what's the chance that she had a stash of money saved up, without her husband knowing?

 

[Black eyed pea]

There's no way she is in a treatment facility anywhere. In my opinion, she left her phone at home because she didn't want to get contacted I by anyone and/or have her location tracked. What are the chances of her actually having way more gas than her husband thinks she had in her car? And what's the chance that she had a stash of money saved up, without her husband knowing?

She might have wanted to check out from everything and everyone and gone on an adventure on her own before her birthday. With that big of a vehicle even if the tank was on full, she would still have to get gas somewhere before getting out of the state I would think - IMOO. What was she doing the days before she disappeared. Was she preparing for this by saving up money like you said?

 

[BlinkOfAnI]

Just catching up. JMO and not sure what I think but... One thing I can't stop thinking about is the small size of bottle of vodka SH purchased from Walmart (video linked prior). That little bottle would not have much affect if she were a longtime drinker and built up a tolerance. Alcoholics can build to drinking liters and half gallons. Given the small size of the bottle, if she truly is an alcoholic (no idea what to believe) she either didn't have enough money for a larger bottle or it was just the size needed to mix with medications after driving to a location to find permanent peace. Maybe she was trying to stay sober but wanted a bottle in case. If she isn't an alcoholic maybe she just decided to pick up a bottle like many others do. Just a few thoughts.

 

[Lusitana]

She might have wanted to check out from everything and everyone and gone on an adventure on her own before her birthday. With that big of a vehicle even if the tank was on full, she would still have to get gas somewhere before getting out of the state I would think - IMOO. What was she doing the days before she disappeared. Was she preparing for this by saving up money like you said?

I have no idea. It does seem that she made a point to take her purse and leave her phone behind. She was celebrating her son's 21st birthday on the 24th, and she went missing on the 25th. Was she just waiting to celebrate his birthday and leave? Maybe.

Just catching up. JMO and not sure what I think but... One thing I can't stop thinking about is the small size of bottle of vodka SH purchased from Walmart (video linked prior). That little bottle would not have much affect if she were a longtime drinker and built up a tolerance. Alcoholics can build to drinking liters and half gallons. Given the small size of the bottle, if she truly is an alcoholic (no idea what to believe) she either didn't have enough money for a larger bottle or it was just the size needed to mix with medications after driving to a location to find permanent peace. Maybe she was trying to stay sober but wanted a bottle in case. If she isn't an alcoholic maybe she just decided to pick up a bottle like many others do. Just a few thoughts.

I agree with you on the tolerance issue. I kept seeing posts stating that, with her body type, she would be knocked out with that bottle. The thing is, it doesn't work like that. Even less when you're used to drink a lot and frequently. She got a small bottle of vodka and a soda, so I'm guessing she was going to mix it. She could've already drank a lot before going to the store. But if she was mostly sober at that point, that little bottle wouldn't get her very far, no.

 

[oviedo]

I have no idea. It does seem that she made a point to take her purse and leave her phone behind. She was celebrating her son's 21st birthday on the 24th, and she went missing on the 25th. Was she just waiting to celebrate his birthday and leave? Maybe.


I agree with you on the tolerance issue. I kept seeing posts stating that, with her body type, she would be knocked out with that bottle. The thing is, it doesn't work like that. Even less when you're used to drink a lot and frequently. She got a small bottle of vodka and a soda, so I'm guessing she was going to mix it. She could've already drank a lot before going to the store. But if she was mostly sober at that point, that little bottle wouldn't get her very far, no.

I'm following too many missing mom cases right now - that seem to be ending with what appears to be voluntary deceased.
I'm waiting - I don't think I have enough information yet - but you all are correct - that bottle isn't big enough unless it was being mixed with something else. I cannot believe they have no video of that busy road.
JMO

Just catching up. JMO and not sure what I think but... One thing I can't stop thinking about is the small size of bottle of vodka SH purchased from Walmart (video linked prior). That little bottle would not have much affect if she were a longtime drinker and built up a tolerance. Alcoholics can build to drinking liters and half gallons. Given the small size of the bottle, if she truly is an alcoholic (no idea what to believe) she either didn't have enough money for a larger bottle or it was just the size needed to mix with medications after driving to a location to find permanent peace. Maybe she was trying to stay sober but wanted a bottle in case. If she isn't an alcoholic maybe she just decided to pick up a bottle like many others do. Just a few thoughts.

 

[lexinyc2013]

Just catching up. JMO and not sure what I think but... One thing I can't stop thinking about is the small size of bottle of vodka SH purchased from Walmart (video linked prior). That little bottle would not have much affect if she were a longtime drinker and built up a tolerance. Alcoholics can build to drinking liters and half gallons. Given the small size of the bottle, if she truly is an alcoholic (no idea what to believe) she either didn't have enough money for a larger bottle or it was just the size needed to mix with medications after driving to a location to find permanent peace. Maybe she was trying to stay sober but wanted a bottle in case. If she isn't an alcoholic maybe she just decided to pick up a bottle like many others do. Just a few thoughts.

Ugh...That is a very good point. The bottle was so small.. maybe she just needed to get a little bit to mix it with what she was planning to take.

I'm still leaning towards her taking off on her own/suicide. She doesn't/didn't want to be found -- since she left her phone at home and also didn't mention to anyone where she was going. But then again I'm known to take long neighborhood walks without my phone and don't always tell anyone where I am going. I am not familiar with Florida and didnt realize there were so many areas with water that perhaps somebody could drive off the road into if impaired. So there's that strong possibility.

There was a case nobody really heard of near the town I grew up in. The lady was a mother of 4 grown boys, a former teacher of 25 years. Well known, well loved, etc. She went missing and her family had no idea. Days later they found her car parked in a secluded area of a little known park with very wooded hiking trails. She was found that day on the hiking trails. Sadly it was a suicide.

I keep thinking this case is going to end similarly.. I don't know why and sure hope I am wrong.

 

[BlinkOfAnI]

Ugh...That is a very good point. The bottle was so small.. maybe she just needed to get a little bit to mix it with what she was planning to take.

I'm still leaning towards her taking off on her own/suicide. She doesn't/didn't want to be found -- since she left her phone at home and also didn't mention to anyone where she was going. But then again I'm known to take long neighborhood walks without my phone and don't always tell anyone where I am going. I am not familiar with Florida and didnt realize there were so many areas with water that perhaps somebody could drive off the road into if impaired. So there's that strong possibility.

There was a case nobody really heard of near the town I grew up in. The lady was a mother of 4 grown boys, a former teacher of 25 years. Well known, well loved, etc. She went missing and her family had no idea. Days later they found her car parked in a secluded area of a little known park with very wooded hiking trails. She was found that day on the hiking trails. Sadly it was a suicide.

I keep thinking this case is going to end similarly.. I don't know why and sure hope I am wrong.

You brought something else to mind. Leaving a phone at home would be a good way to ensure one couldn't call for help if they got scared and changed their mind. Or it could have been left at home as some type of sign she didn't just take off or a cry for help. Just random thoughts. Not enough info to know anything.

 

[Paige Franklin]

MOO The information we have been given. Stephanie struggling with alcohol addiction, being on a waiting list for treatment, running out for an errand without her phone not being uncommon lead me to think something unplanned happened. If she was trying to get by and make it through until treatment running out to grab a small bottle of alchol to get her through makes sense to me. It doesn't give a self harm vibe and feels like she expected to be back shortly like other occasions.