Authorities in Chattooga County are investigating after a severely decomposed body was found inside a residence south of Holland yesterday. Deputies and investigators with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the home off Highway 100 shortly before noon after the discovery was reported.
Upon arrival, investigators found a body in an advanced stage of decomposition. The Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for the residence and surrounding property as part of the investigation. A crime scene technician and agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded to assist, and Coroner Earle Rainwater McElhaney was also called to the scene.
Preliminary findings indicate the individual may have been deceased for more than a year. The Sheriff’s Office has begun efforts to identify and notify the next of kin. Investigators reported no signs of forced entry at the home, and early information suggests the resident lived alone.
Officials stated that there is no indication of a broader safety concern for area residents. The body will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination. The investigation remains active, and additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.