A Cobb County man reported missing more than two weeks ago is now believed to have planned suicide when he went into the northeast Georgia woods, police said Wednesday.
Richard Arnold Masters, of Kennesaw, was reported missing July 21 by his brother, who told investigators he had not had contact with Masters for two days. Masters, who would turn 57 on Friday, had previously enjoyed hiking in the Tallulah Falls area of Rabun County, according to his brother, Ken Masters.
The Rabun County Sheriff's Office launched a search for Rick Masters' Jeep, which was found July 26 parked at the end of Kelsey Mountain Road, Capt. Gerald Johnson with the sheriff's office said. The vehicle did not show any signs of foul play, Johnson said.
But the extensive search for the man changed to a recovery mission Tuesday, Johnson said.
"Information in a letter received by Masters' brother has led investigators and family members to believe that Richard Masters likely entered the woods with no intention of returning or being found," Johnson said in a press release.
The case remains under investigation, Johnson said.
Calls left for Richard Masters' family were not immediately returned.
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