UPDATE: Deputies say body of Jeremiah Douglas Nesmith found in Bleckley County

The sheriff’s office says an autopsy will determine the cause of death, though no foul play is suspected.

UPDATE (9/2/25): Deputies recovered the body of 45-year-old Jeremiah Douglas Nesmith in a heavily wooded area off Trail Branch Road on Tuesday, according to a news release from the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said Nesmith had been missing since July 11. Investigators reported there are no signs of foul play at this time. An autopsy will be conducted to rule out any “nefarious circumstances” and to determine the official cause of death.

“Despite exhaustive efforts by our office, partnering agencies, and the community, this is not the outcome we had hoped and prayed for,” Sheriff Daniel Cape said in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with Mr. Nesmith’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

Cape added the office is grateful to everyone who assisted in the search and asked that the community “continue to lift his family up in support and prayer.”

ORIGINAL STORY (8/5/25):

COCHRAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man reported missing July 29 who was last seen more than two weeks earlier near Trail Branch Church Road and Georgia Highway 26 East.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, 45-year-old Jeremiah Douglas NeSmith was last seen on July 11. He is about 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 210 pounds and has short brown hair.

Investigators said there is no available information about what NeSmith was wearing when he was last seen.

The sheriff’s office urges anyone with information to call (478) 934-4545 or dial 911. Sgt. Denmark is the lead investigator and can be reached at (478) 230-0446.