Searchers have found the remains of a man who went missing in Tallulah Gorge State Park last week.
Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols said in a Friday afternoon press statement that authorities recovered the remains of 36-year-old William Woodward on Thursday, Aug. 23. Woodward, from Lyons, Georgia, was reported missing the night of Aug. 16 to the Tallulah Falls Police Department.
"Since [Woodward was] reported missing, local law enforcement along with Rabun County Search and Rescue and multiple other agencies aggressively continued to search the State Park property that consists of 2,739 acres, as well as other private properties adjoining the State Park," Nichols said in the press statement.
Woodward's remains were discovered under the rim of the Gorge.
Nichols said the remains have been turned over to the Rabun County Coroner’s Office and will be sent to the GBI Medical Examiner’s office in Atlanta for an autopsy.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Woodward," Nichols said.
Nichols said a number of agencies assisted the Rabun County Sheriff's Office in the search and recovery effort for Woodward, including the Tallulah Falls Police Department, Rabun County Search and Rescue, Habersham County EMA/Fire, Athens-Clarke County, Gilmer County EMA/Fire, Oconee County EMA/Fire/CERT, Walton County Fire, Dawson County Fire, Banks County Fire, Whitfield County Fire, Hall County Fire, Stephens County SAR and LACI, Central Georgia K-9, Alpha Dog K-9, The American Red Cross, Georgia DNR and Aviation, GSP Aviation, GBI, GEMA and GSAR.
