Lee Trawick
Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
Deborah “Debbie” Lanham, a 59-year-old Wellborn resident, formerly from Knoxville, Tenn., has officially been listed as missing as of Monday, Dec. 12, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO). Lanham's family last spoke with her that Monday, subsequently the same day her boyfriend, Jordan Ernsberger, was released from jail in Suwannee County. Both Lanham and her vehicle were reported missing. However, her vehicle was recovered by SCSO with no signs of Lanham. Upon investigation, the SCSO has reason to believe foul play is suspected in her disappearance. Ernsberger, a 30-year-old Wellborn resident who is also originally from Tennessee, has been listed as a person of interest. He is currently being held in the Madison County Jail on unrelated charges.
SCSO Sheriff Sam St. John states Ernsberger has an extensive arrest record that dates back to his time in Tennessee. He is also no stranger to the SCSO, as he has been arrested four times since June 2022. Ernsberger has previously been charged with offenses including possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance, simple battery, trespassing and burglary. His most recent arrest was on Monday, Oct. 31, for trespassing, burglary and a hold for other reasons. He was later released on Monday, Dec. 12, the very day Lanham went missing. Ernsberger was later arrested on Thursday, Dec. 15, in Madison County, Fla.
SCSO notified the Madison County Sheriff Office (MCSO) that Ernsberger was in the area. This came after the SCSO was led to believe he received a ride to Madison County and was dropped off at a certain location. According to a Facebook post by the MCSO, deputies were on the lookout when they responded to a call of a white male forcing his way into a home in the Livingston Springs subdivision in Madison. The homeowner was home at the time, causing the suspect to flee on foot into a thick wooded area. At this time, the MCSO deputies took action by establishing a perimeter.
The Facebook post states MCSO deputies deployed a drone overhead, along with a K-9 unit to apprehend the suspect, later identified as Ernsberger, without further incident. Ernsberger remains in the custody of MCSO. However, both sheriff's offices have been in contact, and the SCSO has expressed its wish to speak with the Ernsberger in regards to any information he can offer in the disappearance of Lanham. At this time, the case remains ongoing and active. Look out for more updates on this investigation in the Riverbend News.