Empire State Review Team 
Recovery Efforts for Gary Jones at Lake Oconee
Putnam County, GA – After a 29-day extensive search, the body of Gary Jones, an educator from Atlanta, was recovered from Lake Oconee. This conclusion marks a somber end to the search that also included the hunt for his fiancée, Joycelyn Wilson, who had been missing since February 8.
Timeline of Events
The couple disappeared during a boat trip celebrating Jones’ 50th birthday. Initially, their empty vessel was located near the dam on the same day. The subsequent search efforts yielded Wilson’s body the very next day, but Jones remained unaccounted for.
For nearly a month, search teams, including local authorities and specialized divers, worked relentlessly. Despite multiple suspensions of the search due to unfavorable weather, teams continued to utilize advanced sonar technology to locate Jones.
Search and Recovery Details
On Sunday, the search team, led by Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills and Keith Cormican of Search and Recovery Consulting, resumed efforts. By noon, they successfully located Jones’ body approximately 75 to 100 yards from where Wilson was found, at a depth of about 45 feet.
Jones was retrieved from the water around 1 p.m. on the same day, bringing closure to the lengthy search and investigation effort.
Contributions from the Search Team
Sheriff Sills expressed profound gratitude towards everyone involved in the search activities. “It was an incredible team effort, and I’m thankful for the dedication shown by all parties,” he commented during an interview.
Specialist Keith Cormican, who has a history of assisting in similar recovery cases through his non-profit Bruce’s Legacy, noted that recovering Jones was his mission that day as part of broader efforts to prevent future drownings.
Future Considerations
Currently, the cause of Jones’ death has yet to be determined. Sheriff Sills indicated that the investigation points towards a tragic boating accident, as evidenced by the findings at the scene.
A memorial is being organized by friends and family, as both Jones and Wilson had planned to marry shortly after their disappearance.
