The large-scale search continues for a Georgia teacher who has been missing for over a week, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Gary Jones was last seen on Feb. 7 embarking upon a boating trip with his fiancé, Jocelyn Wilson. The trip was ostensibly in celebration of Jones’ 50th birthday. They were reported missing the following day when their boat was found empty, circling a popular tourist area in Lake Oconee, about 70 miles outside of Atlanta. On Feb. 9, authorities recovered Wilson’s body from the water. Jones’ shoes were found in a nearby area.
Dive teams and cadaver dogs are still working at the scene, actively searching for Jones on the “working theory” that he and Jones were tossed from the boat when it ran into something. It’s unclear at this time whether another vessel could have been involved in the incident, or what the weather conditions were on the day. Officials say that no evidence on the boat would indicate it had a serious collision.
Related: Search Continues After Boat Carrying 3, Including Dad and Toddler, Capsizes
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills reported that both Jones and Wilson were healthy people and capable swimmers, but he noted their smaller vessel may not have been “appropriate for this water.” But Sills clarified: “I’m not being critical. I’m not saying that [Jones] caused this, but I’m telling you the facts of the matter. It was a dangerous kind of situation to start with.”
Jones and Wilson were last seen out on the water around 3:30 p.m. last Saturday. They reportedly checked into a hotel before renting the boat and venturing into the lake. A little after 5 p.m., witnesses found the boat running in circles, empty except for an iced cookie cake, and Jones’ license, hotel key card, and wallet.
When Wilson was found the next day, she still had air in her lungs. Investigators believe this may provide crucial insight into her demise. “I’m not saying she didn’t drown—that’s up to the medical examiner, who has not finished their report—but it was enough to keep her from going all the way to the bottom,” Sills told 11 Alive.
Wilson and Jones were college sweethearts over 30 years ago who reconnected in recent years. They were engaged in December and planned to marry on March 14.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/CugpZUQ
via IFTTT