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Photo by David von Diemar
A body found in Lavonia could be missing White County resident Douglas Cordell Barnes.
On Monday, Sept. 4, the Lavonia Police Department reported they were investigating the death of an unidentified person found in Lavonia.
The Lavonia Police Department, Franklin County Coroner Scott O’Barr and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were investigating the death.
According to reports, at roughly 1 p.m. on Labor Day, a citizen was collecting his wildlife cameras in the woods and discovered a deceased person. The citizen told police he smelled something dead and saw boots and jeans near a tree. The person immediately went back to his vehicle on the road and called the police. An officer responded to the scene and was escorted by the man to where he found the body. Once the officer located the body, she and another officer set up perimeter with caution tape to secure the scene. The Lavonia Police Department requested the assistance of the GBI, and agents were dispatched to the scene.
The report stated that the body was found in the area of David Avenue and Robin Lane in Lavonia. At the time of the report, the deceased could not be identified nor could a cause of death be determined.
The body was transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. O’Barr said that he hopes to have confirmation of the identity of the victim, cause and manner of death from autopsy results by the end of the week.
Relatives of Barnes posted on social media Tuesday morning stating they received calls from Police Chief Shane Edmisten and the coroner on Monday night telling them that property of Barnes was found on the body located in Lavonia.
Edmisten confirmed Wednesday Barnes’ identification was found on the body. The deceased’s clothing also matched those Barnes’ mother described her son as wearing.
Edmisten said that the identification cannot be confirmed until dental records or DNA testing.
Barnes, 36, of Cleveland has not been seen or heard from since July 19. His gold Ford F150 crew cab truck was found abandoned by Hart County Sheriff’s deputies on Ga. 77 near Interstate 85 in Hart County on July 21, at least four miles southwest from where the unidentified body was found.
Barnes was reported missing to the White County Sheriff’s Office on July 28. According to reports, he was last seen leaving his home in White County wearing jeans and a t-shirt. He is a white male roughly 5’8” tall and weighs 160 pounds. Barnes typically wears a camouflage ball cap.
When Hart County deputies found the truck stuck in the mud on July 21, they ran the vehicle registration and marked it with an orange sticker. On July 31, deputies checked on the vehicle again, and were alerted that Barnes was reported missing.
This investigation is active and ongoing. If anyone has information regarding this investigation, please contact the Lavonia Police Department at 706-356-4848 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office at 706-552-2309.