Traffic Stop Leads to Trafficking Charges
Press Release January 7, 2022
Shooter suspect refuses to waive extradition, survivor speaks
News January 30, 2021
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Alleged shooter Charles Jason Matheson, 41, appeared in Clay County District Court on January 28 and rejected the waiving of extradition charges.
Matheson is being held in Hayesville on a fugitive warrant until his extradition to Georgia to face criminal charges for allegedly shooting his estranged wife multiple times at her place of work in Hiawassee, Georgia. After, he fled the scene and traveled to the Matheson Cove Road area in Clay County, North Carolina. Clay County Sheriff’s deputies blocked off Matheson Cove Road.
Read more details of the initial incident here.
The shooting suspect’s been appointed an attorney and is currently under a $1 million secured bond. He’s currently charged with aggravated assault in Georgia and a fugitive charge in Clay County.
Georgia officials are in the process of applying for a Governor’s warrant. If issued by Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC) then North Carolina law enforcement can take the fugitive into custody to be picked up by the other state. The individual “might already be in custody not allowed bail or was unable to make bail following his or her initial arrest.”
Arguments against extradition will be heard on February 15.
Survivor Speaks
Matheson’s estranged wife, Crystal Matheson has been recovering after undergoing surgery for her wounds. On Saturday, January 30, she released a statement on social media expressing her gratitude toward the community.
Crystal Matheson
“Hey guys. I have been overwhelmed by the love that has been directed my way. I am blessed beyond measure is the simplest way I know to put it. I have felt your prayers and please keep them coming because I need them. Some of you praying I don’t even know but they are so appreciated. Those of you do know I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d be asking for prayers for a situation like this. It doesn’t seem quite real. I thank God because He is the only reason I am here. It’s not a question or a wonder or a might be. It is simply fact. I am blessed and thankful for every single person who helped from my coworkers, the girls in the doctor’s office, the cops from local to GBI, the EMS and LifeFlight, the ER doctors, and nurses, the trauma team and surgeons and every person I’ve encountered in the hospital. There is no way to make it seem logical…it defies it. I have 8 gunshot wounds. I know I shouldn’t be here but I am. My God is beyond comprehension in His goodness. I am doing my best to keep focused on getting better. It’s hard. It’s not pretty. And some days I’m not as strong as I want to be. I’ve never had pain like I’ve had but at least I’m here. Its slowly easing up some and I am so grateful. I can’t get around I can stand and take a few shuffles steps but it’s a blessing to do that. It wears me out just to do that but I’m determined to keep trying. I have quite a bit of nerve pain issues in one leg. I ask that yall keep praying for me. I pray for pain relief and strength so I can do things a little easier. I ask that you pray for my blood pressure to normalize so that I can work with Physical Therapy and get stronger. I ask you to pray for wounds to heal so I can move around without fear of hurting something more. I’m trying to answer messages. There’s a lot so please bear with me. I love all of you all. You have no idea what you mean to me and my son and my family. Overwhelmed doesn’t even describe it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Members of the community have organized auctions and GoFundMe accounts to help her pay for her recovery bills. The auction will take place on February 25 and 26.
Teenage girl still missing after four days
News November 2, 2020
HAYESVILLE, Ga – Clay County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with any information about missing 14-year-old, Kloie Cox to contact them or dispatch immediately.
She was last seen wearing a hunter green hoodie, black 5 inch Nike shorts, and a sterling silver necklace with an aqua blue pendant. She has brown hair and brown eyes, approximately 5’6, and 150 pounds.
Deputies and investigators have been working night and day since her family first reported her missing on October 30, 2020. If anyone knows of any possible sightings, known associates, or someone who might have information regarding her whereabouts, they are asked to contact Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Several possible sightings have been phoned in but to no avail.
“The Sheriff’s Office has contacted the SBI (North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation) and HSI (Department of Homeland Security) as well as surrounding counties for assistance in locating Kloie.”
Clay County Sheriff’s Office released the following timeline since Kloie went missing:
“30 October 2020
2:30-3:00 am Last seen at residence
7:04 pm Reported missing by family
9:44 pm Pinged cell phone
10:15 pm Sent BOLO (Be on the lookout for) to surrounding agencies
10:52 pm Entered NCIC (National Crime Information Center)
11:04 pm Contacted Center for Missing & Exploited Children
11:14 pm Requested Amber Alert
31 October 2020
11:53 am Possible sighting at Downtown Pizza in Murphy.
12:01 pm Clay County deputy in the area but unable to locate. People in the area did not recognize photo of Kloie.
1:05 pm Received a call saying they saw Kloie at Doller General in Hayesville on Friday night.
1:13 pm Deputy responded to Dollar General and reviewed video surveillance of times given. Kloie is not on surveillance video.
1:38 pm Received a call saying they saw Kloie just before 11:00 am in the area of Valley River Brewery on 30 October 2020.
3:10 pm Received a call saying they just saw Kloie walk by Valley River Brewery in Murphy walking towards the courthouse.
3:34 pm Cherokee County deputies were unable to locate Kloie in the area.
6:08 pm Checked a residence in Graham County. Kloie is not there.
1 November 2020
3:23 pm Cherokee County deputies checked a residence in Cherokee County. Kloie is not there.
This is all the information being released at the time.”
Vandalism suspect in custody
Business June 23, 2020
HAYESVILLE, NC – (23 June 2020) At approximately 06:56 a.m., the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a call of vandalism at the new primary school on Yellow Jacket Drive. When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered approximately 26 windows had been broken. After investigating the damage, deputies searched the area for a suspect and more vandalism when they discovered another broken window at the Rec Gym on Ball Park Drive. They were then dispatched to the old “Tommy’s Market” on Tusquittee Road for a report of 2 more broken windows and then “Cactus Game Design” where two more windows were broken out.
As deputies were investigating the damage, they developed a suspect and made an arrest at 09:21 am.
Adam Truett Martin, 35 of Hayesville was charged with:
6 counts of misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property and 1 count of Felony Injury Building/Fence/Wall. He was given a $25,000 secured bond and a court date of August 3, 2020.
Feature image courtesy of Clay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook.
Traffic stop leads to multiple drug-related arrests
News, Police & Government, Press Release June 5, 2020
Press Release – On Sunday, May 31, 2020, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with a traffic stop on Highway 175 near the NC/GA state line. During this traffic stop information was obtained to the possibility of illegal controlled substances may be located at Chatuge Mountain Inn in Hayesville. Deputies then responded to Chatuge Mountain Inn to follow up on the information they had received at the traffic stop. Upon the conclusion of their investigation, 136 grams of methamphetamine were seized, a firearm and $10,932 in US currency. The following subjects were arrested and transported to the Clay County Detention Center:
- Stephen Gregory Skaggs, 33 of Poca, West Virginia was charged with:
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Public Officer, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Traffick in Methamphetamine. He was given a court date of July 13 and a $200,000 secured bond. - Elizabeth Durham, 32 of Charleston, West Virginia was charged with:
Carrying a concealed gun and Possession of Methamphetamine. She was given a court date of July 13 and a $20,000 unsecured bond. - Joseph Michael Eads, 35 of Clarksburg, West Virginia was charged with:
Carrying a Concealed gun, Possession of Firearm by Felon and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was given a court date of July 13 and a $40,000 secured bond.
Fetch Your News will update this story as information becomes available.
Joseph Michael Eads
Elizabeth Durham
Stephen Gregory Skaggs
Images courtesy of Clay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Cross county vehicle pursuit results in methamphetamine bust
News, Press Release February 28, 2020
CLAY COUNTY, N.C. – Clay County Sheriff’s deputies seized nearly half a pound of methamphetamine after suspect abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot on Feb. 27. The next day, law enforcement tracked the individual to Towns, County, Ga.
On the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2020, deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Malibu on Fires Creek Road in Hayesville. When the deputy initiated the traffic stop, the suspect immediately fled the area and lead deputies on a high-speed chase for several miles. Deputies attempted using “spike strips” but were unsuccessful. Deputies pursued the vehicle from Fires Creek Road to Carter Cove Road and into Georgia from West Gum Log Road. The suspects pulled into a driveway of a residence and fled on foot from the scene. Clay County, Towns County, and Union County deputies continued to search the area but were unable to locate the driver of the vehicle.
On Feb. 28, Clay County Sheriff’s Office received information that the suspected driver was in hiding at a Towns County residence. Deputies and investigators with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office assisted Towns County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending the suspect at that residence and took him into custody.
Zachary William Hart, 22 of Warne, had outstanding Orders for Arrest from Randolph County, N.C. for Resisting Public Officer, Expired/No Inspection, and Assault on a Female, as well as probation warrants from Georgia. He was also charged with a felony, Flee to Elude Arrest with Motor Vehicle, Possession with Intent to Manufacture Sell, and Deliver Methamphetamine and Traffick In Methamphetamine from the vehicle pursuit from the previous day. He is currently incarcerated in Towns County Detention Center awaiting extradition to North Carolina.
Fetch Your News will update this story as more information becomes available. Please remember that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Five arrested in drug investigation, two outstanding warrants
News, Police & Government January 28, 2020
CLAY COUNTY, NC – On January 21,2020 investigators with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office concluded the first phase of a lengthy investigation into the distribution of controlled substances in the area, which led to the arrest of multiple people for various controlled substance violations. The listed subjects were arrested and charged with the following:
Rebecca Brandi Price, 34, of Hayesville was charged with: 4 counts of Manufacture Schedule II, 4 counts of Sell Schedule II, 4 counts Deliver Schedule II, 4 counts of Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling Place for Controlled Substance and 4 counts of Possession of Methamphetamine. She was given a $250,000 bond.
Rebecca Brandi Price
Travis Franklin Thurmond, 48, of Hayesville was charged with: 2 counts of Sell Schedule II, 2 counts of Deliver Schedule II, 2 counts of Manufacture Schedule II, 2 counts of Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling Place for Controlled Substance and 2 counts of Possession of Methamphetamine. He was given a $100,000 bond.
Michael Vernon Davis, 58, of Hayesville was charged with: 2 counts of Sell and Deliver Schedule II and Manufacture Schedule II. He was given a $100,000 bond.
Michael Vernon Davis
Amy Allen Dockery, 51, of Hayesville was charged with: 2 counts of Sell Schedule II, 2 counts of Deliver Schedule II, 3 counts of Manufacture Schedule II, 2 counts of Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances. She was given a $100,000 bond.
Broderick Levoid Hinton,62, of Hayesville was charged with:
2 counts Sell & Deliver Schedule II and Manufacture Schedule II. He was given a $100,000 bond.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office have two outstanding warrants for those wanted in connection with this investigation.
Broderick Levoid Hinton
Michael Robert Cone of Hayesville is wanted for: Sell Deliver Schedule II and Manufacture of Schedule II.
Ryan Neal Jones of Hayesville also has outstanding warrants for: Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance, Manufacture of Schedule II, Sell Schedule II and Deliver Schedule II.
If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Cone and Jones, they are urged to contact the sheriff’s office at (828) 389-6354 or anonymously at [email protected].
This is a continuous and ongoing investigation and no more information can be released at this time. Images courtesy of Clay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook.
Amy Allen Dockery
Michael Robert Cone
Ryan Neal Jones
Travis Franklin Thurmond
Three arrested for maintaining an alleged drug house
News, Police & Government December 5, 2019
CLAY COUNTY, Nc – During the early morning hours of December 4, 2019, Clay County Sheriffs Office, along with Jackson and Macon County SWAT teams, executed a search warrant at a local residence and arrested three individuals. Numerous controlled substances, US currency, and several firearms were seized during the search of the residence located in Hayesville NC.
The following suspects were arrested and taken to the Clay County Detention Center and charged with the following:
Steven Grant Papendick: Possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was given a $20,000 bond and a court date of December 9, 2019.
Ryan Neal Jones: Possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was given a $20,000 bond and a court date of December 9, 2019.
Amy Jean Dockery: Possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Possession of Methamphetamine and four counts of Possession of Firearm by Felon. She was given a $75,000 bond and a court date of December 9, 2019.
This search warrant came as a result of a lengthy investigation by members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for sale and delivery of various controlled substances in Clay County. Additional charges are pending later in the week.
Sheriff Deese urges anyone with information pertaining to illegal drug activity in your community to contact the sheriff’s office at 828-389-6354. Anonymous tips can also be sent to [email protected]
Picture courtesy of Clay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook.
Search warrant leads to Hayesville drug arrests
News December 5, 2019
HAYESVILLE, NC – During the early morning hours of Dec. 4, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, along with Jackson and Macon County SWAT teams, executed a search warrant at a residence on Dietz Cable Road. Numerous controlled substances, US currency, and several firearms were seized during the search of the residence located at 692 Dietz Cable Road, Hayesville, NC.
During the execution of the search warrant, the following subjects were arrested, transported to the Clay County Detention Center, and charged with the following crimes:
Steven Grant Papendick: Possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was given a $20,000 bond and a court date of December 9, 2019.
Ryan Neal Jones: Possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was given a $20,000 bond and a court date of December 9, 2019.
Amy Jean Dockery: Possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Possession of Methamphetamine and 4 counts of Possession of Firearm by Felon. She was given a $75,000 bond and a court date of December 9, 2019.
This search warrant came as a result of a lengthy investigation by members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for sell and delivery of various controlled substances in Clay County. Additional charges are pending later in the week.
Sheriff Deese urges anyone with information pertaining to illegal drug activity in your community to contact the sheriff’s office at 828-389-6354. Anonymous tips can additionally be sent to [email protected]
Armed Suspect Surrenders Without Incident
News, Police & Government October 4, 2019Hayesville, NC – On Oct. 3, 2019, a patrol deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence in the Snoozy Park area of Brasstown, NC to conduct a civil standby, which turned into an armed suspect denying a homeowner entry into her home.
Civil standbys are typically a routine performance of duty to keep the peace between parties involved in civil and or domestically related disputes. Many of these are performed annually without incident.
The civil standby was anything but typical. The male subject, 54-year-old Tommy James Anderson of Brasstown was reported to have armed himself with a rifle and allegedly refused the homeowner entry into her residence. The homeowner reported that she heard a gunshot from within the residence and breaking glass. Anderson allegedly pointed the firearm at her before she called law enforcement.
Once deputies were on scene Anderson refused to leave the residence and surrender to law enforcement. A standoff then ensued that lasted approximately 3 hours. A perimeter was established around the residence to contain the suspect and prevent any compromise of the community’s safety or involvement of neighboring properties.
The perimeter included a section of Old Hwy 64 West which the NC State Highway Patrol secured and detoured traffic in a safe route around the scene. An NC State Wildlife Officer working in the same area also responded to support Clay County Deputies. A negotiator from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene and was able to effectively talk with Anderson over a loudspeaker. Macon County Sheriff’s Office also sent a member of their SWAT team to the scene to evaluate and prepare for their response if needed.
At approximately 4:50 p.m., Anderson came out of the residence unarmed and surrendered himself to law enforcement without incident. Anderson is being charged with Felony possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon and Misdemeanor Assault by Pointing a Gun. At the time of this release, a bond or court date had not been set. Domestic Violence related charges require a 48-hour hold time before the Defendant can have a bond set by the Magistrate Judge. Anderson has previous convictions in Clay and Cherokee County NC for Felony drug charges dating back to 2000.
UPDATED: Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigating school threat
News August 29, 2019PRESS RELEASE – CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Hayesville, NC – 08/28/2019
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has responded to a threat of violence against a Hayesville student as well as the school itself. At this time the threat has been dealt with and one person has been arrested by authorities. This is an ongoing investigation, and more details will be provided later. Again, Clay County Schools are safe and the person responsible did not come on campus and is in custody at this time. There is no current threat to the school.
UPDATED:
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Threats Against Student and School Stopped
Hayesville, NC – (August 28, 2019) The Clay County Sheriff’s Office received information late Wednesday afternoon of a potential threat to Clay County Schools, it was an immediate all available hands on deck response to put an end to it before it began. This was a rapidly evolving scenario that took a lot of effort to coordinate resources in a short amount of time. Ultimately those resources included School Administration, Clay and Cherokee county Sheriff’s Offices, NC State Highway Patrol, ATF, NC State Bureau of Investigation and ADAs from District Attorney Ashley Welch’s office.
Our students and community did an excellent job by reporting the information immediately, we are very thankful and fortunate that it was brought to law enforcements attention when it was. Not only did work immediately begin to identify and locate the source of the threat but efforts were being made to document and preserve evidence as well as setting a plan into motion to confront the source. As information developed every aspect of the scenario was considered and prioritized with the safety of our students the schools and the general public being of the highest priority.
Everyone involved was fully committed and remained on scene actively working their assigned responsibilities well into the early morning hours of Thursday. Law Enforcement in two separately organized groups simultaneously made contact at two locations approximately 10 miles apart. The suspect was located, identified and taken into custody without incident in the Andrews, NC area at approximately 12:30 AM and a search warrant was executed at that residence. A second person in the company of the suspect at the time was temporarily detained and later released when it was determined this person was not involved. Consideration was given to the possibility of more than one suspect; however, no information was developed to corroborate that as a credible scenario.
At this time the investigation is still ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available. As always, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping our community informed with timely and accurate information. Above all else though, the men and women of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to the safety of our community and stand ready at all times to answer that call. – God Bless
Clay County female charged with homicide
News September 6, 2019
HAYESVILLE, NC – A Clay County female has been charged with homicide. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Gregory George Garcia, 43, of Murphy, was shot and killed at a residence in the Tusquittee Community of Clay County, according to a press release from Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese.
Garcia was allegedly in a relationship with the suspect, Julie Marie Morrison, 53, at the time of the incident. Garcia was staying at Morrison’s residence in Tusquittee, according to information received by law enforcement.
Garcia was discovered with a single gunshot wound to the chest from a .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun which was recovered at the scene. Morrison was charged with homicide and is being held without bond in the Clay County Detention Center. A Sept. 11 court date is scheduled. An autopsy was conducted Thursday and the results are pending, Deese said in the news release.
Family of murdered teen pleads for answers as homicide investigation continues
News June 8, 2019
HAYESVILLE, NC – Jordan Garcia, a 17 year old Clay County native who was reported missing Tuesday, May 28, was identified through dental records at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, NC, earlier this week. Garcia’s remains have since been tranported to North Carolina State University for forensic examination, Clay County Sheriff’s Office told FetchYourNews (FYN).
Christina Garcia, the stepmother of the victim, offered a statement on behalf of the family through FYN. “A family in pain asks them to remember when a love one passes in an unnatural away, in a way like our poor Jordan did, we have to be their voice,” Garcia pleaded. “So please, speak up. If (you) have any information, please call the sheriff’s office and speak to Investigator Wingate.”
Garcia, who was living in Hiawassee, GA with his girlfriend at the time of his disappearance, was discovered off Fires Creek Road, north of Hayesville, May 31. Authorities confirmed that the teen’s remains indicated partial burning, and portions of the victim’s extremities were disengaged. Homicide investigators hope to establish a timeline, and determine the cause of Garcia’s death, through the forensic examination.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Todd Wingate said that search warrants continue to be executed, phone records are under review, and numerous individuals have been interviewed by law enforcement. While no suspects have been formally charged in connection with the murder, Wingate informed that a person of interest has been identified by authorities.
Anyone with information on the disappearance and murder of Jordan Garcia is asked to call Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 828-389-3704, extension 13. Tips will be kept confidential.
Hayesville resident arrested on warrant at residence connected to human remains
News June 5, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies and invesigators arrived at a residence off Bell Street in Hiawassee shortly before 6 pm, Saturday, June 2, to serve a Clay County, NC arrest warrant for Caleb Anthony Ellis, 17, of Hayesville, NC.
Caleb Ellis
FYN learned that Ellis was taken into custody by authorities without incident on an out-of-state misdemeanor charge. Ellis was transported to Towns County Detention Center for processing, and is being held without bond.
Of interest is that the location where Ellis was apprehended was the residence a female subject was taken for questioning two days prior, following the discovery of human remains in Clay County. A second subject, Brett “Dakota” Wilson, fled the residence in question shortly before law enforcement arrived May 31. Wilson, 22, was located and arrested in Cherokee County, NC on prior warrants, June 1.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office, serving the warrant for Ellis’ arrest
While it is unknown if Ellis has been questioned in the case, and no suspects have yet been charged by authorities, Clay County Sheriff’s Office informed FYN that a person of interest has been identified. While law enforcement has confirmed the discovery of human remains, and deemed the death suspicious in nature, the victim’s identity has not been officially identified by officials.
FYN is awaiting a press release from Clay County Sheriff’s Office at this time.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office confirms discovery of human remains
News June 3, 2019
HAYESVILLE, NC – FetchYourNews (FYN) spoke with Clay County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Todd Wingate this morning, Monday, June 3, in reference to a suspicious death investigation conducted in the North Carolina jurisdiction. At this time, FYN was able to confirm with the investigator that human remains were discovered in Clay County last week, although identification has not been positively determined at this time. An autospy is scheduled to be performed in Wake Forest, NC tomorrow, June 4. The death was determined by authorities to be suspicious in nature, and due to the condition of the remains, identification of the deceased has proven challenging.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office informed FYN that multiple search warrants have been executed, numerous interviews have been conducted, and evidentiary materials are being processed at this time. A person of interest has been identified by law enforcement, however, officials state that it is too early in the investigation to release the name of the suspect. No charges related to the death investigation have yet been filed by authorities.
FYN inquired whether the search warrant locations included areas of Georgia and North Carolina, with Wingate confirming that Clay County Sheriff’s Office has requested assistance in both states and surrounding counties, adding overwhelming support is being offered by the cooperative agencies.
Hayesville High School Senior Loses Life in Tragic Drowning Accident.
News May 21, 2019Official Press Release from Clay County Sheriff’s Office:
Hayesville, NC – (May 20, 2019) Clay County has lost a friend to all who knew him, a model student, a great athlete and all around fine young man and citizen that wasn’t able to call Hayesville home for nearly long enough. Steven Plummer had only been a resident of Hayesville for a short time but the positive impact that he had on our small community was evident yesterday by the massive turn out of support. The loss felt by his family is shared county wide today and it can be seen and felt throughout the community where ever you go.
At approximately 3:00 PM on Monday afternoon Clay County Deputies were dispatched to the area of the TVA Circle near the “saddle dam” off Hinton Center Rd. in response to a drowning victim, 17-year-old Steven Plummer of Hayesville. Steven was a Senior at Hayesville High School this year and was with several of his classmates at the time of the incident. According to eyewitness statements, Steven was attempting to swim from the shoreline to a pontoon boat a short distance away when he began to struggle at about the half way point. Several friends say they saw he was in distress and immediately went to his aid but efforts to reach him in time were unsuccessful.
The 911 call from a student at the scene generated a full response of every emergency resource available in the county. Additional help from Towns and Henderson Counties responded as well as NC State Wildlife and TVA. Hayesville Schools Superintendent along with teachers and staff as well as County Manager and School Board members were all on scene assisting emergency personnel with the mass of students and families that turned out in one of the largest support efforts seen. The Hinton Center was a huge asset by providing a place for friends and loved ones to congregate and meet with grief counselors from the school and Appalachian Community Services while awaiting further news.
At approximately 6:20 PM members of the Towns County Dive Team located Steven’s body in about 23’ of water and about 150’ to 200’ from shore, the same general area identified earlier by eyewitnesses. Local M.E. Kyle Cody was on scene and performed a preliminary examination that revealed no contributing factors to Steven’s accidental drowning.