On Friday, July 5, 2019, at approximately 1:59 P.M., the Toombs County 911 Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a fisherman located at the Altamaha River near the area of Morris Landing in Appling County. The fisherman had discovered a body in the river that was later identified as Eric Harvey (27) of Baxley, Georgia. The 911 call was then dispatched to Appling County Sheriff’s Office at that time.
The Appling County and Toombs County Sheriff’s Offices responded to the location of the body and began an investigation. Harvey’s body was recovered and will be sent to the GBI Crime lab for an autopsy. The body did not have any obvious signs of injuries at the scene.
During the recovery of the body, a missing person report was made in Appling County for Harvey. It was later discovered that Harvey was last seen camping alone at approximately 9:30 P.M., on July 4, 2019 at Morris Landing sandbar.
At this time, the investigation based upon the evidence is being considered an accident. This is an ongoing joint investigation; if you have any information regarding this incident please contact the Appling County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 367-8120 or the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 526-6778 or (912) 526-9292. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Harvey.