Couple Checked into Hotel for Birthday Celebration Before Woman Died and Man Disappeared on Lake: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

Gary Jones, left, and Joycelyn Nicole Wilson, right.Photo:Gary L. Jones/Facebook; Spelman College

Gary L. Jones/Facebook; Spelman College

New details are emerging after a woman was found dead and a man remained missing after theirboat was found emptyon a Georgia lake.

Her body was located after the boat was found circling near Wallace Dam on Saturday, Feb. 8, authorities said. A second person, identified as Gary Jones, a track and field coach for a local private school, remained missing.

A childhood friend of Wilson’s recently toldCBS affiliate WANFthat the pair attended Clark Atlanta University together and had gotten engaged after reconnecting.

The boat was later found to have struck a dock, he added. The next day, civilians located Wilson’s body a half mile away.

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Lake Oconee in Georgia, where Wilson was found dead on Sunday, Feb. 9.Google Maps

Google Maps

A cadaver dog trained to detect bodies underwater was expected to be deployed on Friday, Feb. 14, Sills said. The dog previously found remains 50 feet below the surface, Sills said.

“In my career, I’ve never seen this many people searching on Lake Oconee or Lake Sinclair,” the sheriff added.

An investigation into the incident is also ongoing. A cause of death for Wilson has not been released.

source: people.com