Supporters of over the weekend said authorities didn't try hard enough during the search for 27-year-old Joey Holloway.
On the Canton-Sixes Patch message board, people who identified themselves as relatives and longtime friends said the family's pleas for help were brushed off by authorities who profiled Holloway based on his past, which included recent arrests in Bartow and Cherokee Counties on theft and burglary-related charges.
They said Lumpkin County officials interrogated Holloway's wife and assumed her husband left the campsite on Forest Service Road 28-1 off Camp Wahsega Road so he could plan a burglary.
Holloway, family and friends said, would never leave his family behind.
They said authorities suspended their search, leaving them with no other choice but to search for Holloway themselves.
Today, the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office addressed some of the charges leveled against the agency.
Lt. Wesley Burnett, the spokesman, said the local deputy fire chief was on the scene when a family member found Holloway's body at 1:27 p.m. Saturday. Preliminary findings indicate , he said.
In a statement just released to Canton-Sixes Patch, Burnett had this to share:
In a case such as Mr. Holloway’s, we (Sheriff’s Office) assist the Lumpkin County Emergency Management (Fire/Rescue/EMS) in searching. If at any point criminal activity is suspected or believed to be afoot, the Sheriff’s Office assumes control/command of the search. When a deceased person is located, the Sheriff’s Office is notified and responds to ensure criminal activity has not taken place. The coroner’s office is also notified and responds.
Lumpkin County Communications received the call from Ms. Holloway on June 8 at approximately 6:49pm reporting that her husband had went for a walk 12 hours earlier and had not returned.
The sheriff’s office arrived at the location at approximately 7:57pm, after Fire/Rescue personnel were already on scene. It was after 4:30am on June 9 when Sheriff’s Office personnel left the scene (campsite), but still remained in the area for a while.
The deceased was located by a family member around 1:27pm on June 9. Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived back on scene at 1:47pm. (The Deputy Fire Chief was on scene when the deceased was located.) Our Criminal Investigations Division responded to the location, as they do in most all deaths, to ensure the death was not a result of criminal activity. The deceased was then turned over to the Coroner’s Office. An autopsy is being conducted, no results currently, and an investigation is pending.
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Let's all remember one thing: we're measured by what people say when we aren't around. This guy died known as a thief, multiple charges and other mayhem: Multiple theft charges in the Clayton community in Cherokee County still unresolved; involved (with his wife) in possessing stolen goods from Bartow County thefts; his single car wreck with three kids in the car cost tens of thousand of dollars in EMT-, helicopter-, police-, and hospital costs. How does your daughter crack her skull if she's in a child safety seat? Will we get this Waleska crash investigation resolved since he's dead? Lumpkin County had several residents, including homes south of FS 28-1, find their jewelry stolen recently. It's in the Crime Reports in the current issue of the Dahlonega Nugget that reported this 'missing person' story. Holloway was fencing stolen jewelry. Just kicking back in the woods, or more? Ironic either way. Good hunches by Lumpkin Sheriff's office--they read the DNR enforcement reports and know that not all campers are in the woods as a family outing, and a fair number are felons, or wanted, and armed. Read 'em yourself online. Spare us the sanctimonious 'show some respect for the dead [felon]' bit. I HATE thieves, and have family in Clayton community and Lumpkin County.
Anyone want to speculate on how these 'forced entry by kicking in the door' types react when they find your wife, mother, daughter, dog, or you at home? Profiles are efficient for a reason--stealing is the gateway to other felonies. I don't believe it's moral to shoot someone over a property theft, but I'm not stupid--having grow up around thieves like this. If I'm on the jury of the homeowner that shoots such a felon, they get an apology for their legal troubles, and walk proudly from the courtroom. Will the family reimburse society for their costly sociopath? We want to know, otherwise go away, and apologize to those who have been harmed.
You are just being cruel. Who are you to judge someone when you don't know the real truth? Are you in any shape to be able to judge? I'm sure you've got some skeletons in your closet. The person that really did those burglaries is about to get what they deserve. All you would have to do is ask a family member and you could easily get the real story. Joey was full of love and cared deeply for his family. For you to be so cold towards this situation reveals that you are the real sociopath. As for your condolences, you can keep them. Just because you say "Sorry for your loss," does not give you the right to say anything you want and be so disrespectful.