Law enforcement lost while searching for alleged human remains

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FetchYourNews (FYN) received information from a source regarding an incident which took place Saturday, July 21, in the vicinity of Brasstown Bald.

Following a criminal investigation, law enforcement officers, a representative of the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office, a medical responder, and a subject who was in custody were in the vicinity of Brasstown Bald, conducting a search in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

FYN confirmed with a credible alternative source that the group was attempting to locate alleged human remains.

FYN contacted Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton, retaining the following information.

The group, along with the inmate, failed to make it back to their vehicles before dusk. The group consisted of a GBI agent from Region 8, a representative of the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office, an investigator with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, and a EMT from Towns County Emergency Medical Services, along with the subject in custody.

Once it was determined that the group was not going to make it out of the forest before darkness set in, additional first responders were called to assist in a search.

A command post was established at the intersection of Highway 180, and Highway 180 Spur.

The search consisted of personnel from the following agencies: Towns County Fire and Rescue, Towns County EMS, Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Georgia Wildlife Resources, Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit, Georgia Department of Corrections, Blairsville Police Department, Union County Fire and Rescue, and Union County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, the group had separated due to one of the members experiencing medical difficulties walking out. During the early morning hours, two members found their way out of the forest, and reunited with first responders.

After daybreak on Sunday morning, the remaining three members were located, and the member experiencing the medical difficulties was airlifted by a Georgia State Patrol rescue chopper from a landing zone established on Highway 180. He was transported to a medical facility for further evaluation.

At this time, the name of the member with the medical difficulties is being withheld until family members are notified. Towns County Sheriff’s Office tells FYN that the medical difficulty does not appear to be life threatening.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office and Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office would like to thank those involved in the search.