Body of Hayesville Man Located After Search

The following press release has been issued by Towns County Sheriff's Office.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/16/2017

Towns County search and rescue personnel located the body of John Brandon Eller, age 22 of Hayesville, North Carolina, shortly after 2:30pm on Wednesday, August 16th.

After an extensive search, Eller's body was discovered a short distance off shore in Lake Chatuge behind his place of employment, Hawg Wild BBQ, in Hiawassee, Georgia, where he was last seen on Monday, August 14th around 5:50pm. The Towns County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were assisted by agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations in the investigation. The Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. 

Sheriff Clinton would like to give thanks to Towns County Fire and Rescue volunteers, Towns County Sheriff’s Office personnel, Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, K-9 units from Cherokee and Fannin Counties, CLEA, and other volunteers who assisted in the search for the missing person.

At this point, foul play is not suspected. The case is active and ongoing, pending the medical exam and further investigation.

WKRK sends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of John Brandon Eller.

---