Crime
Melanie Nadler Litt Found, but Husband Lesley Litt Says She Remains Unsafe and in a Mental Health Crisis
COBB COUNTY, GA — The search for 52-year-old Melanie Nadler Litt, who was reported missing earlier this week, has taken a troubling turn despite police announcing that she had been found safe.
According to the Cobb County Police Department, Melanie Litt was located and appeared unharmed, prompting authorities to cancel the BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert.
In a public statement, police reassured residents that “Melanie was not in any danger, and there is no indication of foul play.”
However, Melanie’s husband, Lesley Litt, has publicly disputed that assessment, stating that his wife is “not safe” and is in the midst of a severe mental health crisis.
Lesley Litt claims that Melanie is being manipulated and controlled by the man she was found with, describing the situation as one of psychological and possibly physical abuse.
Witnesses have corroborated seeing Melanie in distress.
One man, identified on social media as Billy Robertson, said he recognized her at a market — identifying her as his dentist — and confronted the man accompanying her.
According to Robertson, the man became aggressive and began shouting, after which he grabbed Melanie and quickly left the area.
In a post describing the encounter, Robertson wrote:
“I literally found the missing woman and chased the man. I confronted them, and she was so scared. When I asked if she was OK, the male grabbed her and took off with her. I gave chase. He tried to say her husband was after them.”
Lesley Litt has since confirmed that the individual seen with his wife has a history of domestic violence, including charges related to assaulting a previous partner.
He fears that Melanie, who he says is not thinking clearly, may be too afraid or disoriented to ask for help.
Melanie Litt was reported missing on Tuesday morning after failing to arrive for work at Family Dentistry at Seven Hills in Dallas, Georgia. She had worked the previous day at another office on Villa Rica Way in Marietta.
When police conducted a welfare check at her residence, they found her cell phone left behind, though her vehicle was missing. That vehicle was later discovered abandoned behind a business on Barrett Parkway.
A coworker reported last speaking with Melanie on the evening of October 12, when she had dinner with a friend. She was scheduled to leave the following Wednesday for a trip to Japan with her husband.
Lesley Litt stated that he was out of town visiting their son when his wife disappeared and immediately contacted authorities after learning she had not shown up for work.
Despite official statements, Melanie’s husband insists that she remains in danger and is not receiving proper care or protection.
He is urging anyone who encounters her to call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and to report her location to authorities immediately rather than allowing her to leave.
Lesley emphasized,
“The police do not know her. They did not do her justice and let them both walk away. She needs professional mental health intervention immediately.”
The case remains under review, and concern continues to grow among family, friends, and community members who fear that Melanie Litt may still be in harm’s way.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.