The body of a missing Claiborne County man has been found.
Eugene J. Elmore, 78, also known as “Jack,” was last seen June 13 in the Midway community, according to the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office. A Silver Alert was issued on June 15 for Elmore. His last known location through GPS coordinates was in the Chuck Swan community, where the search was concentrated.
On Monday, Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray received information from the Union County Sheriff’s Office that a Tennessee Forestry Division officer had located Elmore’s vehicle. He was driving a black 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck.
“Upon further investigation from Union and Claiborne County investigators,” a CCSO news release states, Elmore was found “in a heavily wooded, dense area of Chuck Swan located in Union County.”
Elmore suffered from early stages of dementia, according to Det. Tim Shrout of the CCSO, who was the lead investigator on the case.
After Elmore went missing, numerous agencies and individuals pitched in to try and find him. A call went out to the public for assistance in locating him as well. Farmers in the area of where he was last seen were asked to search their property.
“We’ve done extensive ground searches and aerial searches,” said Shrout in late June.
The release states that no foul play is suspected in Elmore’s disappearance or as a cause of death.
“Along with the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, and Sheriff Billy Breeding, on behalf of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, with great sadness, extends thoughts and prayers to the victim’s family and friends, during this difficult time,” said Ray.
Assistance and support from the communities and various agencies were greatly appreciated during the search efforts, said Ray.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Volunteer Fire Departments, Claiborne and Union County Dispatch, T.E.M.A., E.M.A., U.S. Marshal Service, Claiborne and Union County Rescue Squads, United States Air Force, citizens, family and friends,” he said.
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88.
