Eatonton, GA — Jocelyn Wilson, a 49-year-old college instructor at Spelman College, died under mysterious circumstances while boating on Lake Oconee. Her body was discovered on Feb. 9, a day after she and her fiancé Gary Jones had left for a celebratory outing. Local authorities have been piecing together the events leading up to her death, but many questions remain unanswered.
On the evening of the incident, Wilson captured multiple photos on her phone, which she was found holding when her body was discovered. According to the Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, at least seven pictures were taken between their departure from a local hotel and the time of the distressing event.
Details on the content of the images remain unclear, as officials, including the U.S. Secret Service, have struggled to unlock Wilson’s cellphone to gain further insights. Efforts are underway, with plans to utilize specialized equipment at the Department of Corrections’ headquarters to access the encrypted data on her device.
The timeline clarified by authorities reveals that Wilson’s last photo was taken at 4:59 p.m. on Feb. 8. Merely two minutes later, at 5:01 p.m., Jones’ phone, which was also untraceable post these final signals, pinged for the last time. Within half an hour of these last communications, an unmanned boat circled the waters near Wallace Dam, indicating the onset of the incident.
A day later, amidst ongoing searches, Wilson’s body was found a mile away from the boat’s last known location. Nearby, Jones’ shoes were also discovered, hinting at a possibly tragic sequence of events. Jones himself remains missing, despite exhaustive search efforts which were eventually suspended.
Investigations are complicated by mysterious details found on the boat, including Jones’ wallet, a hotel key card, and an untouched piece of cake, preserved in a bag which suggested the couple’s intent to celebrate a special occasion—Jones’ 50th birthday.
A source close to Wilson disclosed that the couple had recently rekindled their relationship and were engaged. The trip on Lake Oconee was part of a celebration that tragically turned fatal.
As of now, authorities continue to delve into the couple’s recent and past activities, hoping that the data on Wilson’s phone will shed light on the elusive circumstances surrounding her death. The local community and the families involved anxiously await more information, clinging to the hope that further investigation will provide closure to this distressing mystery.