COFFEE COUNTY, GA (WALB) - An elderly man vanished from his Coffee County home. GBI agents and sheriff's investigators say someone broke into Hatley Fussell's home.
They searched the surrounding area all day for any sign of him. The family can't understand why anyone would hurt their 88 year relative. At this time, investigators have no idea who could have done this.
88-year-old Hatley Fussell raised his family on this land. Relatives of the long time farmer embrace and hope investigators will find him alive. Fussell's son-in-law called police when he found his house ransacked around 9:00 a.m. Friday. His son, Cecil, last talked to him about a week and a half ago.
"Right now, we're wondering what happened," said Cecil Fussell. "We have no answers at this point and time."
Investigators and bloodhounds combed a one mile radius surrounding Fussell's home off Highway 319 in northern Coffee County. A helicopter also searched three nearby ponds for any signs of body heat but found nothing. It's a mystery that's baffled investigators.
"I have no idea," said Coffee County Sheriff Jerry Pope. "The GBI says they have never seen anything like this."
Sheriff Pope says burglars may have forced their way inside Fussell's side bedroom window. We don't know what they were looking for, but money from his wallet was still there.
Even though there's not much to say, the family asks anyone with information on Fussell's location to call the Coffee County Sheriff's office.
The department is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who can help them find Mr. Fussell.
Call the Coffee County Sheriff's Office at (912) 384-4227.
The GBI is leading the investigation. Agents say they'll be there throughout the weekend looking for clues.
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