A 19-year-old man from Jonesboro drowned Sunday at Panther Creek Falls in Habersham County, turning a popular swimming and hiking spot into the scene of a painful loss. Rescuers later recovered his body from a deep plunge pool at the base of the waterfall after witnesses raised the alarm. Local officials have ruled the death accidental and are asking the public to give the family space to grieve.
According to a release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, shared by the Habersham County Sheriff's Office, game wardens responded to a reported drowning at Panther Creek Falls around 4 p.m. Sunday, as reported by WSB‑TV. Deputies recovered the body of Reginal Starks, 19, of Jonesboro, from water about 12 feet deep near the base of the falls, then worked with DNR personnel and search teams to move his remains to the nearest road so the coroner could take custody.
Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” and the sheriff's office noted that the incident was witnessed and later ruled accidental, WSB‑TV reports. Authorities again urged community members to respect the family's privacy while the coroner finishes the required paperwork.
Popular spot, repeated rescues
Panther Creek Falls sits inside the Chattahoochee National Forest and is a well-known draw for hikers and swimmers who trek in for its cascades, rock slabs and pools. The Forest Service warns that the trails can be steep and that the water can be hazardous, particularly after storms, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The falls have seen previous rescues and at least one other fatality in recent years, local reporting shows, including a July 2025 drowning that required an aerial recovery and a multi-agency response, according to NowHabersham.
Officials urge caution
Rangers and law-enforcement officials regularly caution visitors to stay off wet rock, avoid swimming alone and remain on marked trails to reduce the risk of falls and entrapment, guidance that is echoed on the Forest Service website. Rescue teams say rapid reporting and clear landmarks are key, helping crews reach remote locations more quickly and improving the chances of saving someone in distress.
The Habersham County Sheriff's Office has again asked the public to respect the victim's family's privacy while the coroner's office completes its work. The agency also encouraged anyone with additional information about the incident to contact local authorities through the sheriff's website, the Habersham County Sheriff's Office. The case remains under routine review by the coroner and DNR Law Enforcement.
