Scott E. Abernathy, 38, disappeared from Cherokee County, Georgia on January 28, 2016. Family concern led to a missing-person report to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and an immediate search.

On Friday, January 29, 2016, Abernathy’s body was recovered from the Chattooga River. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Unit suspected he had been shot and then placed in the river.

Investigators identified a person of interest and arrested 48-year-old Ben T. McCool of Gaylesville. McCool was already facing unrelated domestic violence and child abuse charges when a murder charge connected to Abernathy’s death was added and bond was set at $310,000. The Major Crimes Unit is handling the case.

If anyone has information about Scott or the events of January 28–29, 2016, please come forward.