ABBEVILLE, Ga. (WALB) – A missing, elderly man from Wilcox County was found dead March 5.

Wilcox County Coroner Janice Brown told WALB that 78-year-old James Flute was found on Highway 280 east of Abbeville.

According to Wilcox County Sheriff Jeff Wessell, Brown was found by a Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) official at around 12:25 p.m. off of the Ocmulgee River bridge.

Several agencies were involved in the search, including:

• Abbeville Police and Fire Departments
• Wilcox County EMA and EMS
• Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office
• Dodge County Sheriff’s Office
• GSP
• GBI

His body will be taken to Macon for an autopsy. The cause of death has not been ruled yet.

The Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating Brown’s death.

The Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) had previously asked for the public’s help in finding Flute.

He was last seen around 12:45 a.m. March 5 near Ga. Highway at the Wilcox County Line.

WALB is working to learn more details. Stay with us.

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