It’s a sad ending to the hopeful search for a missing White County man. On Friday, state investigators confirmed that remains found in Lavonia on Sept. 4 are those of 37-year-old Douglas Cordell Barnes.
The local land surveyor was last seen alive at his home in Cleveland, Georgia, on July 19. His remains were located on Sept. 4 in a wooded area outside of Lavonia off Interstate 85. Authorities were unable to immediately identify the remains, which a property owner found while checking his trail cameras.
The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and used family dental records to confirm the identity.
Family members and friends held out hope that Barnes was alive after he disappeared while on an apparent fishing trip to Lake Hartwell. His abandoned pickup truck was found on July 21 on a road leading to the lake. His fishing tackle and camping gear were still inside.
When the truck was found, Barnes was not listed as missing. Ten days later, a deputy revisited the abandoned vehicle and ran a registration check. This time, it showed Barnes as missing since his family had filed a missing persons report in the interim.
Searches conducted by both law enforcement and volunteers turned up empty. Local authorities requested the GBI’s assistance after the property owner found the human remains.
The Medical Examiner did not release a cause or manner of death. GBI Director of Public Affairs Nelly Miles says they are still waiting on lab reports. Miles would not say whether foul play is suspected but said the agency’s case would remain open until it’s determined how Barnes died.
