JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. (828NewsNow.com) – Jackson County Emergency Management reported on Oct. 28 that a man missing since Oct. 10 had been found deceased near the Jackson County-Macon County line.
The man was identified as 65-year-old William Laney of Cherokee, Zeb Holland, the director of Jackson County Emergency Management, told 828NewsNow on Oct. 29.
“Mr. Laney was a native American from Cherokee. He was found off Tilley Road. We don’t suspect any foul play,” Holland said.
Emergency Management first made the announcement that the man had been found in a 5 p.m. update after previously posting on social media that a search was underway during the day on Oct. 28.
“The missing individual has been located by first responders. Unfortunately, he was found deceased,” the social media post said.
“While this was not the outcome we had hoped for, we are grateful to bring closure to his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time,” Jackson County Emergency Management said.
The search was conducted on Oct. 28 in the Tilley Creek Road area near the Jackson-Macon line. Jackson County Emergency Management alerted nearby residents to expect to see a significant emergency services presence as search operations were conducted.
Agencies from Jackson County, Macon County, and North Carolina Wildlife were involved in the search, the post said.