Georgia authorities have shared more details on the search for Gary Jones and the investigation into his fiancée Joycelyn Wilson‘s death at Lake Oconee.
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More Details On Gary Jones’ Disappearance & His Fiancée’s Being Found Dead At Lake Oconee
As The Shade Room previously reported, Gary Jones and his fiancée headed out to Lake Oconee on February 8 to celebrate his 50th birthday. The couple reportedly began boating on the lake around 3:30 p.m. However, around 5:30 p.m., their boat was discovered idling. Moreover, neither Jones nor Wilson could be found.
The following day, Wilson’s body was discovered floating in the water. Furthermore, her cell phone was clutched in her hand. However, Jones’ body was not located.
Georgia Authorities Shares Update On Search For Gary Jones
According to 11Alive, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills made the decision to suspend daily water search efforts for Jones on Sunday, March 2. Per the outlet, daily shoreline searches and periodic searches around the lake area will continue.
Furthermore, a separate report from the outlet notes that the sheriff’s decision arrived after 22 days of searching for Jones with cadaver dogs, specialized equipment, aerial searches, and other efforts.
“I don’t know anything more that can be done. DNR, State Patrol, all their sophisticated equipment, helicopter flying over looking visually — I don’t know what more can be done,” Hill reportedly stated. “This may be an unfortunate situation where nature will have to take its course.”
Per 13WMAZ, Sills believes Jones’ body is still “in the lake.”
“…That is possible because anything is possible in a case like this… based on the evidence: the boat circling, his shoes were not tied… all of that lends us to believe that he’s in the lake,” he reportedly stated. “I don’t want the families to think that we’ve given up. We haven’t. But this, this is a possibility that’s happened in many cases like this.”
According to WSB-TV, Jones’ family has since shared a statement in response to the sheriff’s decision.
“In response to recent news about the search, the family of Gary Jones would like to clarify and confirm that the search for Gary is still ongoing and active. The family is still working and searching in cooperation with numerous private nonprofit agencies, volunteers and national search teams in completing the search,” their statement reads. “We have had positive recent developments that heighten our enthusiasm in concluding this search victoriously. We would like to thank all of the organizations, nonprofits, volunteers, and families that have joined in to support the efforts to find Gary. Thank you in advance for a soon coming victory! God Bless.”
More Details Are Shared On The Investigation Into Joycelyn Wilson’s Death At Lake Oconee
Per the outlet, the U.S. Secret Service has joined the investigation into Joycelyn Wilson’s death. A passcode on her phone has reportedly prevented Georgia officials from accessing her device. Now, the Secret Service is reportedly working to bypass the code.
“We’ve extracted the data from her phone; however, it’s got a code on it,” Sheriff Sills told reporters. “We know pictures were taken at certain times, but we can’t see them.”
Furthermore, per WSB-TV, Sheriff Sill has shared an updated timeline of the couple’s events after entering Lake Oconee on February 8. According to the outlet, Jones’ phone stopped sending transmissions around 5:01 p.m. Meanwhile, Wilson’s phone reportedly stopped sending transmissions around 4:59 p.m. At 5:24 p.m., the couple’s boat was reportedly found empty.
