GBI Asks for Help in Identifying Remains Found in Banks Crossing

Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Banks County Sheriff’s office are asking for the public’s help to identify remains found behind a motel in the Banks Crossing area last month.

On February 24, three people staying at the Dandelion Inn were panning for gold in a creek behind the motel when they discovered a human bone. The trio called 911 and investigators with the Banks County Sheriff’s office then called in assistance from the GBI.

After a two-day search of the creek and the surrounding country side, more skeletal remains were found.

According to GBI agent Jesse Maddox, a preliminary examination of the remains by a University of Georgia Anthropologist indicated the remains belonged to a human.

“Right now, it’s preliminarily an adult male, but that’s not a guarantee. It just gives us a good starting point,” Maddox said Thursday. “It’s difficult to identify somebody when it’s been this long and the climate and the environment have had an opportunity to deteriorate the remains. It just makes it very difficult.”

Although the identity of the remains is still unknown, Maddox said it is believed the person has been missing, or deceased, since as early as 2006.   

During their search in and around the creek and wooded area, Maddox said investigators found several items, including a gold Timex watch and a gold cigarette lighter with the name, “Marty” inscribed on it, as well as some other items.

“There was another cigarette lighter, but it was not unique in any way, it was just a standard Bic lighter,” he said. “We also found a couple of pocket knives, but they were badly deteriorated and there was nothing that would make them unique as well.”

Investigators, he said, also found what they believe is material belonging to a pair of pants or shorts, but again, the length of time the remains have been out in the elements is making it hard to determine exactly what the body was wearing at the time it was placed along the creek.

Maddox tells WLHR News a search of a number of missing person’s databases did not provide any immediate leads as to the unknown person’s identity. 

Because only a partial skeleton was found, authorities are having a difficult time identifying the victim and need the public’s help.

“We dont’ have the conventional methods that we typically use in this type of case. They’re kind of out the window,” he said. “Again, we’re relying on hopefully, somebody knows that a person is missing or is aware that a person might be missing and can lead us in the right direction.”

The skeletal remains were taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur for further examination and testing.  Maddox said there are number of tests, such as testing of the DNA in bone marrow that may help lead to an identification of the remains.  He said it is not known at this time if foul play was involved.

Anyone with information on who this person might be or who recognizes any of the items is asked to contact the GBI at 706-552-2309 or the Banks County Sheriff’s office at 706-677-1815 or your local 911.

You do not have to give your name.