Authorities continued their search in Walton County near North High Shoals Thursday evening with no signs of Justin Gaines, missing since he was last seen at a nightclub in Duluth, Georgia, in November 2007.
Walton County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Scott Whisnant, who was at the site, said their department’s search efforts have been suspended at this time. Sheriff Butch Conway of the Gwinnett Sheriff’s Department, however, said his department’s search is still in progress. Three wells and a pond all located on one property were searched by authorities with no signs of the missing man according to Sgt.Whisnant. The search in Walton began on Monday and included help from both sheriff’s departments, the Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Natural Resources.
A “person of interest” now in the Gwinnett County jail for unrelated crimes first led authorities to the property. Sheriff Conway said Wednesday there is no connection between the case and the owner of the property. He also said authorities have an idea of who is responsible for Gaines’ disappearance but no evidence to prove it.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s office is still treating this is an active investigation and will continue to follow all leads.
