Update: Body recovered from Alcovy River believed to be a suicide victim

Update

Officials with Walton County Sheriff’s Office report that the body of a man was recovered from the Alcovy River and has been transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to complete the investigation. However, basic on evidence recovered at the scene, officials believe that it will turn out to be a man who was reported missing a few days ago and that the death will be ruled a suicide. WCSO Chief Deputy Keith Brooks declined to give any further details based on the fact that it is likely a suicide, except to say that it is a tragedy.

“I hate it for the family, I hate it for the public officials and I hate it for the people who worked to recover the body,” Brooks said. “It is a tragedy, especially at this time of the year.”

Brooks said every effort is made to locate people reported missing, but it is difficult when the person is an adult as there is no crime in leaving and some people just don’t want to be found.

Update

The body located in the Alcovy River off Highway 81 in Walton County on Wednesday was recovered by the Walton County Special Ops dive team. The road was closed at Bullock Bridge and Jack Pittman Road for several hours during the recovery. Battalion Chief Craig League said the body was recovered and the scene released by 9 p.m. that evening, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017. Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman said more information would be available Thursday once he had time to investigate the situation further.

Initial story

Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman confirmed that a body has been located in the Alcovy River off Highway 81 in Walton County. Walton County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Craig League said the Walton County dive team is on location to recover the body. The Walton County Special Ops dive team was formed this year to deal with incidents like this.

Highway 81 was closed down at Bullock Bridge and Jack Pittman Road during the operation.

No further details are available at this time.