Crews narrow search for missing boater on Lake Oconee

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The search continued Thursday on Lake Oconee for missing boater Gary Jones. Investigators said he was with his fiancé Joycelyn Wilson on Feb. 8 when they both vanished on the water.

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills told Atlanta News First that search crews have zeroed in on a 2-to-3-acre area on the lake where cadaver dogs have indicated there may be a body under the water.

“DNR is still out there, at least one of my deputies has been out there, the dive and rescue team from Lake Lanier is out there, the Cajun Navy is out there. These people have been out there every day,” Sills said.

Wilson’s body was found in the water shortly after her disappearance, but search crews are still looking for Jones.

“Cadaver dogs have located an area where they have had hits in, and I want you to understand that area is a couple of acres and maybe three acres there and in that area is all this submerged timber,” Sills said.

The story has gained national attention. Atlanta-based singer and rapper CeeLo Green took to social media to mourn Joycelyn Wilson. On Instagram, Green said Wilson was practically his sister and that quote, “no one deserves to perish in that fashion.”

Meanwhile, law enforcement returned to the lake for the 19th straight day on Thursday in hopes of finding Jones.

“I’m not saying a crime has occurred here, but that’s the way we are handling it and we will stay in that mode until Mr. Jones’ body is recovered,” Sills said.

Sills said the cadaver dogs will be back out on the water on Saturday and they won’t rest until they find Jones.