SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
Authorities say the body discovered Sunday, Feb. 11, in a closed Griffin motel is believed to be that of Timothy Allen Johnson, who was reported missing Dec. 11, 2017.
According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, an unnamed person who was committing a theft at the former Howard Johnson property located at 1690 North Expressway discovered a possible body inside an interior wall.
This unidentified person reported his discovery to Spalding County 911 approximately three hours later.
Lt. Joe Hudson, of the Griffin Police Department, responded to the scene and noted a foul odor coming from one of the rooms in the building.
Hudson forced entry into the abandoned property and located a body in between the interior walls in the plumbing access area.
Hudson notified Griffin Fire-Rescue, and based on his knowledge of the previously-filed missing person report on Timothy Johnson, also reported the discovery to the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.
Dix, lead investigator Ray Hightower and Spalding County Coroner Sonny Foster, along with other investigators and crime scene personnel, responded to the scene.
Entry was made to the area where the body was located, and identification documents found on the remains indicated Timothy Johnson.
Griffin Fire-Rescue personnel, with the assistance of crime scene investigators, extricated the body, which was transported to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy and positive identification.
Authorities say foul play is not expected, but autopsy results are being awaited. The autopsy is scheduled for early Tuesday morning.
Dix, Foster and Hightower met with Johnson’s mother and discussed with her the discovery of this body.
Johnson was last seen Dec. 6, 2017, and was reported missing Dec. 11.
Johnson’s truck was ultimately located in the parking lot of Crestview Baptist Church, which is adjacent to the Howard Johnson’s property.
Officials say SCSO investigators searched that property on three occasions, and cadaver K9s searched the area twice early in the investigation.
Dix expressed his appreciation to the Griffin Police Department and Griffin Fire-Rescue for their assistance in this case.
“Griffin P.D. and Griffin firefighters provided valuable assistance in locating the remains. We appreciate their assistance with the investigation,” Dix said.