Gary Jones Recovery Effort Concludes at Lake Oconee
PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. – After a month-long ordeal, the search for Gary Jones, an educator from Atlanta, has tragically concluded with the discovery of his body on Lake Oconee.
Timeline of Events
On February 8, Gary Jones and his fiancée, Joycelyn Wilson, embarked on a boating trip to celebrate his 50th birthday. However, their vessel was located deserted near the lake’s dam later that day, prompting a massive search operation.
Wilson’s body was found the next day, while search efforts for Jones continued for nearly a month. Despite significant resources devoted to the efforts, including the use of cadaver dogs and diving teams, an extended search period ensued full of challenges.
The search was officially suspended several times due to adverse weather conditions, and the search leader, Sheriff Howard Sills, noted last week that it might be “months before this body surfaces.”
Discovery of Gary Jones’ Body
On a fateful Sunday, Keith Cormican, the head of Search and Recovery Consulting and founder of Bruce’s Legacy, joined Sheriff Sills in the recovery efforts. By noon that day, they located Gary Jones approximately 75 to 100 yards from where Wilson’s body had been found, at a depth of about 45 feet of water.
At 1 p.m., Jones was retrieved from the lake. Sheriff Sills expressed gratitude to all those involved in the search, reflecting on the unwavering support from the community and professional divers.
Background on the Search
The tragic situation prompted a significant response from local authorities, who mobilized over 22 days of intensive searching, which included divers and cadaver dogs from multiple states. Jones’ personal items, including his shoes and wallet, had been found shortly after the couple went missing, which further fueled the search efforts.
Friends of the couple revealed plans for their wedding, emphasizing the loss felt by many in the wake of this tragedy.
Next Steps
Following the recovery, Sheriff Sills noted that he was at the coroner’s office to assist with the next stages of the investigation. While a formal cause of death has yet to be determined, preliminary evidence suggests that the incident was related to a boating accident.
About Keith Cormican
Keith Cormican, the individual who helped locate Gary Jones, runs a Wisconsin-based company specializing in search and recovery efforts. His nonprofit, Bruce’s Legacy, was established in memory of his brother who died during a rescue attempt in 1995. Cormican has dedicated his career to improving search methodologies and training response teams to effectively assist in such critical situations.
