Body Found in Jackson County River After Search Near Weekend Crash Site

JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. – State investigators are working to determine the identity and cause of death of a man whose body was found partially submerged in a river Wednesday morning in Jackson County.

At the request of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are investigating the death.

According to authorities, officers with the Jefferson Police Department responded at about 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 4 to an area off Fields Road after citizens searching near the scene of a vehicle crash from Sunday, Feb. 1, alerted police. Officers conducted a search in nearby woods and discovered the body of a man partially submerged in a river.

Once it was confirmed the location was outside Jefferson city limits, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assumed responsibility for the investigation. The Jefferson Fire Department, Jackson County Emergency Management Agency, and the Jackson County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene.

Authorities said the man has not yet been identified, but investigators believe he was an occupant of a vehicle discovered near the river Sunday night. Officials noted the vehicle had traveled a considerable distance from the roadway before being located.

The body will be transported to the GBI Crime Lab, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation remains ongoing.