Eight search dogs and their handlers are combing the woods in a search of a 19-year-old Whitfield County man missing for two nights, authorities said.
Brett Andrew Thomason went missing during a boating trip on the Conasauga River around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night. Searchers found the boat on the riverbank about five miles north of Tilton Bridge Road, but they don’t know if he fell into the water or walked away.
Natasha Thomason, his older sister, said authorities told her they are working within a five-mile radius that includes Whitfield, Murray and Gordon counties.
“Right now people from the community are just sitting around waiting for (authorities) to tell them they can join the search,” she said. “They haven’t really told us anything.”
Those family members, friends and community supporters are gathered at Riverbend Baptist Church where Whitfield County Emergency Services has parked the central command vehicle for the search.
Jeff Putnam, Whitfield County Emergency Services director, said Friday that the dogs would get Mr. Thomason’s scent from his clothing. He discouraged community members from being in the woods with the dogs because of the possibility of damaging the scent trail.
Mr. Thomason is a graduate of Southeast High School and recently joined the Marines. He is scheduled to leave for boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., in April.
Read Sunday’s Times Free Press for complete details.
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