Teacher remains missing, fiancé found dead after couple was last seen boating in Georgia
Authorities found the remains of a Spelman College instructor last seen alive on Feb. 8 but are still searching for her fiancé, according to reports and his family.
Jocelyn Wilson was last seen on a small fishing boat on Lake Oconee with her fiancé, Gary Jones, reported television stations WAGA-TV and WXIA-TV.
They were celebrating Jones' 50th birthday when they disappeared, according to WAGA-TV. Investigators said the couple checked into a hotel at Lake Oconee before going to the lake and boaters found the couple’s empty boat on the water about two hours later.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources was notified about the missing couple at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, a spokesperson confirmed to Paste BN. They began searching for the couple later that day.
Wilson’s body was found in the water the next day, on Feb. 9, reported WAGA-TV. Investigators also found Jones' shoes, a hotel room key card, his wallet and his driver’s license.
Involved in the search are the Putnam County Georgia Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced on Feb. 14 that game wardens were searching for Jones using SONAR scans and aviation. The agency said it would also do surface and shoreline sweeps and deploy a K-9 team to search the woods and shoreline.
The agency announced Tuesday that the Georgia State Patrol dive team was also helping with the search.
The agency announced Thursday evening that residents should expect to see ongoing patrols and aviation activity in the area.
“Throughout this search, our dedicated men and women have endured frigid temperatures, rain, and other challenging conditions, demonstrating unwavering commitment in their efforts to bring closure to Mr. Jones’ family,” the Georgia Department of Natural Resources wrote.
Wilson was an instructor at Spelman; Jones a middle school science teacher
Wilson taught at Spelman College starting in 2007 and most recently served as a senior instructor in the college’s math department. She previously taught at Howard University and American University in Washington, D.C., according to Spelman’s website.
Jones works at Westminster Schools, which serves grades pre-first through 12. He first joined the school in 2002, a spokesperson confirmed to Paste BN Friday morning. He is a middle school science teacher, head of program for track and field and head coach for Westminster's 8th grade boys basketball program.
Jones’ family said in a statement that they are grateful for those supporting him.
“This has been a horrendous experience for our family, but we will not rest until he is found,” they said in a statement, sent to Paste BN by his job. “We are following all developing leads. However, our most important focus now is the multi-faceted search effort in water and on land.”
As the search for him has continued, former students and other community members have joined in, WAGA-TV reported.
Lauren Cherry knows him and said he was “just like a father figure to everyone.”
He was the type of person that if he ever found out that any of us were missing, he would have been the first one out here to look for us," Cherry told WAGA-TV. “I feel like it's important for us to all come back and do that for him."
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.