UPDATE: George Williams found dead along Lake Sinclair shoreline
Crews found the 76-year-old beneath tree limbs near the railroad trestle Thursday afternoon. His cause of death has not been determined.
UPDATE (10/22/26): Search crews found 76-year-old George Williams dead Thursday afternoon along the shoreline near the railroad trestle on Lake Sinclair, according to Georgia Department of Natural Resources Game Warden Erin Paulk.
Paulk says crews were conducting a shoreline sweep when something beneath tree limbs hanging over the water caught their attention. Crews initially thought it was a boulder or rock before realizing it was Williams.
Williams was found in Putnam County’s portion of the lake, so Putnam County authorities recovered his body.
The cause of his death has not been determined.
ORIGINAL STORY (10/22/26):
BALDWIN COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Search crews resumed efforts at daylight Thursday to locate 76-year-old George Williams, whose unoccupied boat was found near a railroad trestle on Lake Sinclair Wednesday.
The Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team confirmed Thursday morning that crews were continuing to use sonar technology and underwater robotic equipment to search the area near Haslam’s Marina along the Baldwin-Putnam county line.
According to Georgia Department of Natural Resources Game Warden Erin Paulk, the search began Wednesday after a fisherman spotted Williams’ boat tied to the trestle.
The boat was unoccupied, but its lights were on and fishing poles were still out. Authorities later confirmed with Williams’ family that he was missing.
Crews found Williams’ phone and fishing equipment inside the boat. Officials believe he may have fallen into the water, but the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear.
Paulk says crews are searching in a grid pattern, starting near the boat and expanding outward.
Search teams are using sonar, side-scan technology and a remotely operated vehicle to examine the lake bed. However, debris beneath the water, including concrete and rebar, has made parts of the search more challenging.
Agencies involved in the search include the Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team, Baldwin County Fire Rescue, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Putnam County Fire Rescue and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Paulk says crews are committed to continuing the search and bringing Williams back to his family.
“We are gonna do everything we can to return their loved one to them,” Paulk said. “We’re gonna work around the clock until we can give them their loved one back.”
Officials are asking recreational boaters and fishermen to avoid the search area near Haslam’s Marina until further notice to protect emergency personnel and prevent interference with search operations.
Paulk also encourages people who fish alone to wear a life jacket.