Georgia officials find human remains; may belong to man missing for a year

EAST DUBLIN, Ga. — Georgia officials may have found the remains that belonged to a man who may have been missing for about a year after a hunter located his vehicle.

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According to a news release from Laurens County Sheriff Larry Dean, on Friday around 5 p.m., a local deer hunter found a vehicle that looked similar to a missing person out of the county near Highway 319 and eastern Laurens County. The hunter called 911 and provided a tag number that came back to Don Hightower.

Deputies from Laurens and Johnson Counties, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and volunteers conducted a search of the area early Saturday, Dean said per The Associated Press. During the search, human remains were located and taken to the GBI Crime Lab to be identified.

According to WGXA, Hightower was first reported missing on Oct. 30, 2021. He was last seen after spending part of the day with his family watching a college football game between Georgia and Florida. As the end of the day came, no one could find Hightower.

WGXA reported that days after his disappearance, his family told them that they noticed Hightower was feeling a little off prior to going missing. He was taken to a hospital to get checked and had some tests done. His family told WGXA that he was feeling better.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Facebook Sunday, on the anniversary of Hightower’s disappearance.

“October 30, 2022, marks one year of the disappearance of Mr. Don Hightower. Mr. Hightower is from the Scott Community and is and will always be remembered as one of the friendliest persons known in Johnson County,” said JCSO on Facebook. “Johnson County folks always support and care for each other and that’s what makes our County the best all around. May God continue to comfort and watch over Mr. Hightower’s family and friends today and we will continue to offer our assistance and support as always!”

The investigation is ongoing. No further information has been released including an official identification.

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