Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Assisting in Lake Hartwell Death Investigation

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Oconee County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in a death investigation after a 50 year old Seneca man body was recovered from the waters of Lake Hartwell late yesterday afternoon. 

Coroner Karl Addis has identified the decedent as Douglas John Olin Edmond, Jr.  Mr. Edmond, Jr. was officially reported missing on Sunday to the Sheriff’s Office. 

On Saturday morning, December 20^th, a Deputy responded to the Timberlake One Boat Ramp near Townville after the Sheriff’s Office received a report from a third party of someone who was requesting help.  However, no one was located at that time.  An older model Ford Truck was also located in the parking lot.

On Tuesday, December 23^rd, a Deputy responded back to the boat landing in reference to a welfare check due to the same truck being on location unoccupied.  A check of the pickup truck by the Deputy revealed that it belonged to Mr. Edmond, Jr.  After checking the area, no one was located at that time nor was anyone located at Douglas’ residence after a check at that location. 

On Sunday, December 28^th, Deputies responded back to the Timberlake One Boat Ramp after speaking with a family member and neighbors of Douglas.  Deputies were informed that it was not unusual for Douglas to be gone for a few days, however, they felt that too much time had passed for it to be considered normal.  The same Ford truck was still in the parking lot unoccupied.  At that time, a Missing Person’s investigator was notified. 

Resources and personnel from Oconee County Emergency Services, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit began a search of the area on Sunday; however, Douglas was not located.

The search resumed on Monday morning, with Douglas being located in waters of Lake Hartwell at around 5:40pm.