Search efforts for the body of Gary Jones in Lake Oconee using dogs and divers have been suspended until further notice, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills announced Sunday.
“Georgia DNR game wardens and Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies will continue to conduct shoreline searches daily,” he added.
The announcement was made the day after an extensive search by a team of divers from Florida was unsuccessful. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies, DNR game wardens, and volunteers blocked boat traffic from entering the search area, which was in a tree-laden area near where the body of Jones’ fiancé, Nicole Wilson, was found floating Feb. 9. Sills said cadaver dogs had “alerted” in that area several times. However, the water was so choppy from wind and stained by mud on Saturday that the divers were unable to see past two feet.
When making his announcement Sunday, Sills repeated a thought he has mentioned throughout the search, and noted the large number of searchers, methods, and equipment was unlike anything he has ever seen before in his four decades as a law enforcement officer on Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair. He noted that PCSO has been working with Georgia DNR and Georgia State Patrol, as well as countless civilian search and rescue organizations, individuals associated with Westminster Schools where Jones was a teacher, divers and dog handlers from all over Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, as well as local anglers with specially equipped boats. He noted the search has also included aircraft and underwater technological devices.
“Let me express my gratitude to all who have worked tirelessly for the last three weeks in this difficult endeavor,” Sills said. “I also want to express thanks to the many people and businesses who graciously brought food and drinks for everyone. It was most welcome and makes me very proud of our community.”
