HCSO NEWS RELEASE:
“The body of a Gainesville man was recovered near a private dock at Sportsman Club Drive on
Lake Lanier (early today).
Just before ((9:00 Wednesday night), a 911 caller reported to Hall County Dispatch that her landlord was missing.
She was worried after he failed to return to the residence after going swimming in Lake Lanier.
Deputies with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to the scene, along with
marine crews from both Hall County Fire Rescue (HCFR) and the Gainesville Fire Department
(GFD).
According to the preliminary investigation, Brent James Williams, 66, routinely went swimming
in the lake every evening between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. He was last seen on the dock around 7 p.m.
The tenant walked to the dock when Mr. Williams failed to return to the residence and found Mr.
Williams’ belongings, but no sign of him, so she called 911.
The HCFR Marine Rescue team deployed its underwater drone and located Mr. Williams’ body
around (1:00 Thursday morning), 10 feet away from the dock about 12 feet underwater.
HCFR crews recovered the body. GFD Marine Rescue assisted with the search.
At this time, it appears Mr. Williams drowned, and there is no foul play suspected in the death.”