BERRIEN COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - On Tuesday, March 3, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced that skeletal remains believed to be those of Manuel Camargo Zavala were discovered near Sapps Lake Road. This comes more than a year after the 88-year-old Enigma resident went missing.

According to Sheriff Ray Paulk, workers installing a fence on Sapps Lake Road spotted clothing and skeletal remains on an adjacent property and immediately contacted authorities.

“We believe the remains are in fact Mr. Manuel Camargo Zavala, 88, from Enigma, who has been missing since March of last year,” Sheriff Paulk

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The remains were found on the south end of the property where extensive searches were conducted last year, officials said. The location reportedly corresponds with the area where investigators had photographic evidence of Zavala entering the woods.

Sheriff Paulk noted that a recent woods fire in the area improved visibility, which may have contributed to the discovery.

“At this time, no foul play is expected,” the sheriff said.

Zavala was first reported missing on Monday, March 31, 2025, when the sheriff’s office was notified that the elderly man had not been seen in several days.

The investigation gained traction when a hunter came forward on April 1 with game camera footage showing Zavala walking through a wooded area off Edgar Drew Dorminey Road on March 25, 2025, around 2:45 p.m.

“That was the last time that we know of that he was seen,” Sheriff Paulk said at the time.

On April 2, 2025, an extensive search operation was launched with assistance from:

• Georgia State Patrol Aviation
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 units
• Volunteers from the Enigma community

Searchers were unable to locate Zavala at that time.

Zavala was described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5′5″ and 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and blue pants.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to formally identify the remains.

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