The three planned to drive the elder Edwards' Nissan Maxima about 50 miles south down U.S. Route 19 to Asheville, N.C.
They "routinely cash their government checks the first of every month and drive over to Asheville, Elizabethton, Weaverville [N.C.] or Mars Hill [N.C.] to shop and eat," explained Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department administrative assistant William "Brushy" Lewis.
Instead, the wayward trio headed north into Virginia, then got on Interstate 81and drove hundreds of miles south to end up in Marietta, Ga., just outside Atlanta.
"Their family became obviously concerned because they hadn't spoken to them or seen them for some time," said Lewis. "It's just not like them not to call."
