A hiker making their way along a North Georgia trail made a grisly discovery of a body hanging by a rope, prompting a multi-agency investigation into what law enforcement officials are calling an isolated incident, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed the deceased to be 29-year-old Trevonte Jamal Shubert-Helton of Sautee Nacoochee, found in the vicinity of High Shoals Falls, a renowned hiking spot roughly 80 miles northeast of Atlanta.
According to the FOX 5 Atlanta report, Towns County Sheriff's deputies received the call around 2 p.m. to respond to the scene at the Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area near Hiawassee after the hiker discovered Shubert-Helton's body and placed a 911 call, the deputies then found Shubert-Helton suspended in the air fixed to a tree by a rope, the incident was later detailed by the Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post yesterday.
The GBI has taken charge of the autopsy to discern the exact cause of death; they have, however, preliminarily indicated no suspicion of foul play and believe Shubert-Helton was alone at the time of death. An update from AccessWDUN indicates that the investigation remains active, with further details pending as the GBI Medical Examiner's Office proceeds with the examination.
While the smaller details surrounding Shubert-Helton's death are still being pieced together by state investigators, the shocking discovery has stirred unease amongst local residents and hikers frequenting the trail known for its scenic waterfalls and peaceful surroundings, the findings from the GBI will potentially offer much needed answers to the community and to Shubert-Helton's acquaintances who are now mourning the loss of the young man, their investigation is of paramount importance for it will clear the mist surrounding this tragic occurrence.
