Little Gracelyn Vick vanished on a quiet Sunday afternoon in the small town of Saucier.
Her family says the 6-year-old had gone outside around noon to play in the yard — but heartbreakingly, she never returned.
Rumors Swirl as Desperate Search Begins
As the hours ticked by with no trace of Gracelyn, worry turned to panic. Her family contacted authorities, prompting the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi to launch an urgent, wide-scale search that would stretch across six tense hours.
Law enforcement from nearby areas quickly joined the effort, alongside Gulf Coast Search and Rescue teams. Helicopters buzzed overhead, drones scanned the landscape, and around 40 local volunteers combed the area in hopes of finding the little girl safe.
But tragically, the search ended in heartbreak. Gracelyn’s body was discovered later that same day, not far from the family’s property.
Ongoing Investigation, But No Arrests Yet
Deputies quickly secured part of the family’s property, including a swing set and areas where livestock were kept, treating it as a potential crime scene. For hours, crime scene investigators meticulously documented the area, working late into the evening to gather evidence.
According to WLOX, Gracelyn’s body was removed from the property around 8 p.m.
The following day, Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley addressed some of the many rumors spreading online. Confirming what a family member had shared, Haley stated that Gracelyn’s body was found near her home in Saucier.
“So far, no one has been arrested in the case, and it’s too early to determine if foul play is involved,” Sheriff Haley said. “This is an ongoing investigation.”
An autopsy is scheduled at the state crime lab in Biloxi, which authorities hope will provide clarity on the cause of her death, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
An Outpouring of Support — and Unimaginable Grief
Since the devastating discovery, messages of love and support have flooded social media as the local community and beyond rally around the grieving family.
At Saucier Elementary, grief counselors have been brought in to help classmates and staff cope with the sudden, tragic loss of young Gracelyn.
For her mother, Vicky Lynn (Wedgeworth) Hutcherson, the heartbreak runs even deeper. Gracelyn is the third child she has lost in just a few short years.
In March 2024, 13-year-old Victoria Hutcherson — Gracelyn’s stepsister — was killed in a horrific crash on U.S. 49. Victoria, remembered as a caring and protective big sister, was riding in a minivan that collided with a dump truck while attempting to cross a busy intersection.
Even before that, in July 2021, tragedy had already touched the family. Gracelyn’s older brother, 18-year-old Larry Hart, passed away from a medical condition, as noted in his obituary.
A Community in Mourning
The loss of Gracelyn Vick has left a deep wound — not only for her family but for the entire community. As investigators continue their work, many are holding onto hope that answers will come soon.
Rest in peace, sweet Gracelyn. May those who loved you find strength, and may justice — whatever it looks like — be served with care and truth.