College Instructor Found Dead in Georgia Lake Took Multiple Photos Before Her Death, Sheriff Says

Mar. 15, 2025

Gary Jones, Joycelyn Wilson.Photo:Gary L. Jones/Facebook; Spelman College

Gary L. Jones/Facebook; Spelman College

Jocelyn Wilson, the college instructor found dead in Lake Oconee in February, allegedly took multiple photos with her cellphone while on a boat with fiancé Gary Jones, shortly before both of their phones stopped transmitting signals.

Georgia’sDepartment of Natural Resources(DNR) previously said Wilson, 49, was found dead on Feb. 9, the day after a boat was discovered circling near Wallace Dam.

Data from Wilson’s phone showed the Spelman College instructor took at least seven photos in the moments prior to her death, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills toldThe Atlanta Journal-Constitutionon Tuesday, March 4.

The photos were “obviously” taken after Wilson and Jones, a missing private school coach, left thehotel that they checked intoon Feb. 8, “but before the incident” on Lake Oconee, the sheriff added. The last photo was taken at 4:59 p.m. local time that day.

“We don’t know what happened after that,” Sills explained, noting there is no record of additional transmissions after that time.

PEOPLE reached out to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.

Lake Oconee, where Jocelyn Wilson was found dead on Feb. 9.Google Maps

Google Maps

Meanwhile, Jones’ phone last pinged at 5:01 p.m. on Feb. 8, according to the report. More than 20 minutes later, authorities were alerted to an empty boat in Lake Oconee.

Wilson’s body was found about a mile away the next day, and Jones’ shoes were found a short distance away.

Wilson and Jones had recently reconnected and were engaged to be married, a childhood friend of Wilson’s previously toldCBS affiliate WANF.

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The search for Jones on Lake Oconee wassuspended indefinitelyon Monday, March 3.

source: people.com