UPDATE: Missing Social Circle Man Found Dead

UPDATE: Social Circle Department of Public Safety confirming that the body of missing Social Circle man James Welch was found last night. The department is not releasing any information about cause of death at this point, and states that the case is still under investigation.

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Public safety officials are in Social Circle tonight searching for missing resident James (Jim) Welch, 65. An emergency bulletin was issued by the Social Circle Department of Public Safety after being notified that Welch did not return home after getting out of a vehicle at the intersection of Highway 11 and West Hightower Trail to walk home to his residence on West Hightower at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

A Mattie’s Call was issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 1:16pm today. Mattie’s Call is the Georgia alert for a missing elderly or disabled person.

“We will continue our investigation and search,” said Tom Fox, director of Social Circle Public Safety. “We are working on obtaining the use of the GBI’s helicopter at this time to aid in the search.” The GBI’s helicopter utilizes heat-sensing equipment, which would be invaluable with the coming darkness.

Volunteers from Alpha Team K-9 Search and Rescue is also assisting in the search, with trained and experienced dog teams combing the surrounding areas of search. The Alpha Team is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing immediate call-out services to the southeastern United States.

Welch is a white male with white hair and white mustache, described as clean cut. He is 5 foot, 11 inches tall weighing about 195 pounds. He has hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and white striped short-sleeve collared shirt with navy blue shorts and solid white tennis shoes with white ankle socks.

Welch could possibly be confused and showing signs of dementia due to suffering several mild strokes in the past. He was last seen walking in the 500 block of West Hightower Trail in Social Circle. He is not familiar with the area, and in his confusion, could be trying to make his way back to Naples, Fla.

The search has become a coordinated multi-departmental operation, with members of Social Circle Fire and Police on scene, as well as Walton County Fire Rescue and Walton Sheriff’s Department.

Residents in the surrounding areas are asked to check their vehicles, outbuildings, and property for any signs of a person matching Welch’s description. If you have any information that can assist with the safe location of Jim Welch, please call 911 immediately.