Concern is mounting for a 62-year-old Athens man who went missing more than two weeks ago.
Authorities on Wednesday said they had not ruled out the possibility that James W. Mitchell was somehow the victim of foul play
The missing-person investigation was headed by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, which has now asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for its assistance.
For nearly a week, a cash reward of up to $1,000 has been in place for anyone who provided information that could help authorities to locate Mitchell, who was last seen by his daughter as he was leaving his home on Angus Lane 16 days ago.
“We are growing more concerned because no one has heard or seen from Mr. Mitchell since Aug. 15,” said Capt. Jerry Saulters, commanding officer of the Athens-Clarke County police Criminal Investigations Division.
Although police said there was no evidence of foul play, family members were concerned from the beginning that Mitchell might have disappeared due to being the victim of a crime.
Mitchell was reported missing by his daughter on Aug. 21, after not having seen he left their house six days earlier, late the afternoon of Aug. 15. Her father previously might have left home for a couple days at a time, but the woman said “this amount of time was unusual,” according to her missing person report.
The woman told police she found Mitchell’s truck near the entrance of Pinewood Apartments on Bailey Street, where he has no known acquaintances.
Mitchell had no medical, mental health or substance abuse issues, his daughter told police.
Mitchell is described as being 5-feet, 9-inches tall and 290 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki shorts, a purple shirt with white designs and a gray 49ers ball cap. He has a tattoo of a heart with a ribbon and the names Tabitha and Sara on his right upper arm.
Police have searched wooded areas near the Bailey Street complex and detectives had canvassed Pinewood Apartments in an attempt to locate people who might have seen Mitchell or knew of his whereabouts.
“We have put a lot of resources into trying to locate Mr. Mitchell,” Saulters said. “We have and will continue to conduct many interviews with family and friends.”
Anyone with information on Mitchell’s whereabouts is urged by police to call Sgt. Brad Collinsworth at (706) 613-3888, ext. 792 or Det. Rick Dearing at ext. 774.
Anonymous calls can be made to the Crime Stoppers tipline at (706) 705-4775.
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