A year ago today, Charles Hosch, a Gainesville native living in Texas, decided to return to the Lone Star State after spending some time with family and friends in Gainesville. But on his way, he stopped in the north Georgia mountains to hike an area he became familiar with while growing up in Gainesville: the Byron Herbert Reece Trail in Union County, and he hasn’t been heard from since.
Throughout winter’s cold and summer’s oppressive heat, individuals and organized teams searched for the Dallas attorney and SMU adjunct law professor. A website devoted to the effort, Bring Charles Home, remains active, and searchers returned to the area as late as Nov. 1.
“Searchers returned to Blood Mountain this weekend as the leaves began to fall,” one of the latest postings says. “We found no clues, but we remain committed to finding Charles…”
He was last seen descending the Appalachian Trail from the top of Blood Mountain. “The search continues with professional teams and committed volunteers pressing on. We are grateful for every person who has joined this effort.”