GBI: Man found in Banks County may have died in 2006
The human remains found Feb. 24 in Banks County belong to a man who may have died as early as 2006, according to new information from the GBI.
The man's identity remains a mystery, but the GBI said Thursday in an emailed statement that authorities found a men's Timex digital watch and a cigarette lighter with the name "Marty" engraved on it.
Those new details emerged more than one week after three hotel patrons panning for gold found a bone in a creek bed behind the Dandelion Inn, which is in the Banks Crossing shopping mall area. A University of Georgia anthropologist examined the remains and determined they belonged to a man.
The remains have been taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur for additional examination and testing.
"It is unknown at this time if foul play was involved," the GBI said in the statement.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the GBI Athens Office or the Banks County Sheriff's Office.
About the Author
Rodney Thrash is the morning breaking news coach for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has been with the paper since November 2013.
