We regret to inform you that the search for Mr. Kelly Nash, 25, of Buford, GA, did not end as we hoped. His body was found in Lake Lanier on Sunday, February 8, 2015.
Mr. Nash went missing rather mysteriously from his home on Jimmy Dodd Road early in the morning of Monday, January 5, 2015.
According to many reports, Mr. Nash’s girlfriend has been quoted as saying she awoke around 4:00 AM and heard Mr. Nash sneezing and coughing, at which time he said he wasn’t feeling well.
At 7:30 AM, Mr. Nash was gone, leaving behind his truck, phone, identification and wallet.
Just before 6 PM on Sunday, February 8, authorities responded to a report of a body floating in Lake Lanier.
Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicole Bailes indicated that homeowners checking on a boat tied to their dock in the 6000 block of Shadburn Ferry Road, not far from the border between Hall and Gwinnett Counties on the southern end of Lake Lanier, found the body in the water.
On Monday, February 9, Deputy Bailes said Mr. Nash’s identity had been confirmed — although the body had been in the lake for some time — by the State Crime Lab in DeKalb County by his clothing and by a unique tattoo on the back of the body that matched Mr. Nash’s.
WSB in Atlanta quoted Deputy Bailes as saying, “Foul play has been ruled out.” WSB also says “authorities say Nash drowned.”
A website, KellyNashMissing.com, and a Facebook page were used by family and friends, among other means, to search for Mr. Nash for several weeks following his unusual absence.
On January 26th, KellyNashMissing.com offered news of an increase to the reward money in this case. “We are announcing today that the Reward for information leading to finding Kelly will be raised to $50,000.”
On February 9th, that site offered these words: “Thank you for all of your prayers. At this time, the family respectfully request privacy regarding Kelly. We know many of you have questions, as do we, but unfortunately there are no answers to share at the moment. Please continue to keep the Nash family in your thoughts and prayers.”
There are more questions than answers in this case. Perhaps we’ll know more about what happened in the days or months ahead.
We are grateful for all those who took part in searches for Mr. Nash and for all those who helped to retrieve Mr. Nash from Lake Lanier.
We offer our deepest condolences and prayers for the family, loved ones and friends whom Mr. Nash left behind.
