Doting Grandmother Found Dead Along Bike Trail After Disappearing | She Was Out on Routine Walk Near Home

She "loved spending time with her grandchildren; family always came first throughout her life."

Cover Image Source: Facebook | Oil City Firefighters IAFF Local #700

By Shruti Menon

April 13, 2023

Posted April 13, 2023

Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.

Marcy Suzette Nellis was found dead along a trail near her home on March 27. She was reported missing and an investigation began on March 26 to look into her disappearance, per PEOPLE. The 76-year-old Oil City woman's remains were found along a bike trail near the Allegheny River. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, her two children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The longtime member of Good Hope Lutheran Church worked in banking until retirement.

"She lived in her West First Street home for 46 years, and rarely missed a day going outside for a walk," her obituary said. The obituary also mentioned that she died while walking near her home. It further added, "She enjoyed playing bridge with the ladies at the Belle Lettres Club, living a healthy lifestyle, and walking outdoors." She was a doting grandmother who "loved spending time with her grandchildren; family always came first throughout her life."

"Please take this time to look out for one another and seek support if needed in this tragedy," Oil City Firefighters IAFF Local #700 wrote on Facebook. "Finally, please keep the family of Marcy Nellis in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time." A family member responded to the rescue team's comment, thanking the OCFD and all the groups involved "for everything they did to locate our precious loved one, our wife/mom/friend, my best friend," adding that they offered "hope, love, and support throughout our 15-hour gut-wrenching waiting period." Calling it "one of the hardest times of our lives," they said they "wouldn’t wish it on anyone. We were surrounded by family, neighbors (who are family), friends, and strangers, given updates periodically and compassion when the news broke. We can’t express our gratitude enough."

A suspect has been arrested in connection to Nellis' murder. 59-year-old convicted sex offender, David Allen Bosley, was arrested on April 6, and charged with homicide, rape by forcible compulsion, aggravated indecent assault, kidnapping, and abuse of a corpse, according to a press release from the Venango County District Attorney's Office, per PEOPLE.

An autopsy revealed that Nellis died from asphyxiation due to manual strangulation and she was sexually assaulted. Bosley became an "immediate person of interest," after evidence including a rape kit, allegedly linked him to the crime. The suspect has allegedly denied "touching that woman" and denied having "anything to do with the death of the victim," according to the complaint obtained by Explore Venango. A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday, April 19 in Venango County Central Court.