Massive Search Ends at Cook County Wildlife Area After Unidentified Person Sighting

On Monday, November 10, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., a Georgia Department of Natural Resources Game Warden received a trail camera photo showing unusual activity on the Sparks Cut-Off Wildlife Management Area. The image appeared to show an unidentified person walking through a dry creek bed without clothes. Due to the low quality of the image, no identifying features could be confirmed.

The Game Warden requested assistance from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to search the area. Law enforcement deployed six canine teams from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Georgia State Patrol. The Georgia State Patrol also dispatched two helicopters, one equipped with forward-looking infrared cameras. Officers conducted a door-to-door canvas of nearby neighborhoods as part of the search.

During the operation, Lenox Police were involved in a vehicle pursuit that ended in an accident near the WMA. Two occupants fled on foot into the area, with one apprehended by Lenox Police and the other captured shortly afterward by deputies from Cook County and Lowndes County.

Despite the extensive search, no one matching the description of the person in the photo was located, and no additional evidence was found. Authorities also confirmed that no reports of missing or endangered persons had been received. The search of the WMA has been discontinued and is no longer active.