On 9 February evening, Georgia DNR Cpl. Taylor Bingham reported that game wardens had been using sonar-equipped boats to search for two missing boaters at Lake Oconee.
They located Joycelyn Nicole Wilson on February 10 at 9:55 a.m. but continued the search for Gary Lamar Jones, whose name was not immediately known.
Highlights
- Amy Ashton Henderson confirmed that Gary Jones had not been found yet, though many sources are condoling to the Westminster coach.
- Putnam County Deputy Coroner Andre Williams confirmed the woman’s identity as 49-year-old Joycelyn Nicole Wilson from Atlanta.
- An unoccupied boat was seen drifting in circles around 5:30 p.m. on 8th February.
Gary Jones was the coach for the Varsity Boys and Girls Track & Field teams at Westminster School.
As nightfall approached, the search was called off and would resume the following morning.
The couple had been boating in an 11-foot Sun Dolphin vessel powered by an 18-horsepower motor.
The Search Is Still Going On For The Coach, Gary Lamar Jones
Amy Ashton Henderson mentioned that she lives about 20 minutes away from Lake Oconee.
She confirmed that the second person, a man (Gary Jones), had not been found yet, though many sources are condoling to the Westminster coach.
I seen it on our local news page. I live about 20 mins from the area. From what I seen they have not found the 2nd person which was a male.
Amy Ashton Henderson
Similarly, Deborah Mitchell, a cousin of Gary Jones, expressed concern about Sunday’s news, questioning where the information was coming from. She mentioned that the family had not been informed about any details.
Sunday’s news Where you getting your information? The family has not been told anything! Lies!
Deborah Mitchell
Further, Nancy Freeman shared her sadness, saying it’s heartbreaking that her close friend, Gary Jones, and his girlfriend, Joycelyn Nicole Wilson, were in a boating accident on Lake Oconee in Georgia.
She mentioned seeing him last year and reminded everyone to wear life vests for safety.
Putnam County Deputy Coroner Andre Williams confirmed the woman’s identity as 49-year-old Joycelyn Nicole Wilson from Atlanta. Her body was found floating near the Long Shoals area.
The cause of death has not yet been determined, as an autopsy will be performed at the state crime lab in Decatur. There were no visible signs of injury on her body.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills explained that an unoccupied boat was seen drifting in circles around 5:30 p.m. on 8th February.
While this was not reported to the sheriff’s office, it was communicated to the DNR game wardens in Grovetown.
However, the sheriff’s office wasn’t notified until the 9th of February morning, when DNR asked them to go to The Lodge hotel, where the couple had been staying, to collect their belongings.
Additional Information
- He admitted that he is a Dallas Cowboys fan.
- Gary Jones played football for Sandtown Vikings 8U.
- He grew up with his brother, Mike Jones, who opened Palm 78 at 5325 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004, in 2022.
