Jacksonville police: Missing woman found dead in Georgia

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A missing woman who was believed to be with a scam artist has been found dead in Georgia, according to police.

Janice Fulton, 74, was found dead inside her accused killer's car in Georgia, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

JSO said Fulton is believed to have been murdered in Jacksonville.

Authorities said they found Fulton, the suspect and a 2009 blue Kia Optima after they pinged Fulton's cellphone in Henry County, Ga., which is about 30 miles from Atlanta.

Fulton had been reported missing on Thursday afternoon. Fulton's grandson said he had not seen her since Saturday.

Georgia officials have suspect, Phillip Smith, 37, in custody. WSB-TV reported that Smith is the nephew of Fulton.

Smith waived extradition and is expected to be taken from Georgia to Jacksonville.

Smith was previously charged with exploiting the elderly in 2013 in Bay County, Fla. He was released from jail in May 2016 for that crime.

Action News Jax reporter Amber Krycka is following the story. Watch Action News Jax and follow us on Twitter @ActionNewsJax for the latest. 

Download the Action News Jax News app and First Alert Weather app

Cox Media Group