HAYESVILLE, NC – A month has passed since the disappearance and murder of Jordan Ramon Garcia, a 17-year-old Hayesville native whose remains were found in Clay County, NC, Friday, May 31, off Fires Creek Road near the residence where Garcia was reported a week prior as last seen. Upon identification through dental records and examination at Wake Forest Baptist Health Center in Winston-Salem, Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported Garcia’s suspected cause of death as a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Caleb Ellis

According to a family member of the victim who contacted FetchYourNews (FYN), the teen’s remains were discovered charred and decomposed, with portions of the victim’s extremities disengaged, by Garcia’s father and [uncle] in a natural crevice in the ground, concealed by a piece of man-made material. FYN previously confirmed the condition of Garcia’s remains with Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Caleb Anthony Ellis, 17, was formally charged with Garcia’s murder, June 21, following a claimed confession to law enforcement investigators. FYN was on-scene as Ellis was taken into custody without incident, June 2, on a prior warrant at the Hiawassee residence of Garcia’s girlfriend. Garcia was living at the residence off Bell Street at the time of his disappearance. Garcia’s girlfriend was taken in for questioning by officials on May 31, the evening that Garcia’s remains were located. Garcia’s girlfriend consented to a walk-through search of the residence by Hiawassee Police Department, and the city division conducted extra patrols in the area in the following days.

Brett “Dakota” Wilson, 22, who was wanted for questioning in connection to Garcia’s death, fled the Hiawassee residence minutes prior to arrival of law enforcement, May 31. Wilson was located the following evening in Cherokee County, NC, and arrested on prior warrants.

Neighbors reported witnessing what appeared to be several high-velocity firearms transported into the Hiawassee residence in the days prior to the discovery of Garcia’s remains. Reports of disruptive, all-night parties and suspected drug use were conveyed to law enforcement shortly after Garcia’s disappearance. A legal notice was filed by property managers for Garcia’s girlfriend’s eviction, due to noise complaints and alleged damage to the mobile home, with the order taking effect in immediate days.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office, serving the arrest warrant on Caleb Ellis

The investigation into Garcia’s murder remains active. “Over the course of the investigation, multiple accounts of obstruction have been identified,” Clay County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Investigators anticipate additional evidence of this activity will be found in information obtained from social media, as well as cell phone searches. During the investigation, some individuals made numerous efforts to redirect, misinform, and obstruct the attentions of investigators away from the facts, some of which have been found to be criminal. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.”

Feature Photo: Jordan Garcia