http://www.lex-co.com/sheriff/media.aspx?mid=1370
Major John Allard, PIO Office, 785-2415, 24-Hour Press Box: 799-2001, Ext. 1100
Missing Person Investigation
Lexington County Sheriffs Department detectives are seeking help from citizens in finding a 22-year-old West Columbia man who was reported missing to the Sheriffs Department on Sunday, December 25.
Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said detectives are seeking help in finding Michael Jody George, 22, of 4029 Edmund Highway, West Columbia. Georges relatives told detectives that it is out of character for George to remain out of contact with relatives on Christmas Day and for George to remain out of contact with relatives for a long period of time.
George is 6-foot and weighs 135 pounds, Metts said. George has brown hair and hazel eyes.
Georges brother, John Olin Wannamaker, contacted the Sheriffs Department at 2:37 p.m. on Sunday and reported that George was missing, Metts said. Wannamaker told deputies that he last spoke with his brother at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 23 at Georges home.
Georges father, Gary Frederick George, contacted the Sheriffs Department at about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday and reported that he found Michael Georges 1994 black Nissan Sentra parked on Beckman Road between Cannaberry Drive and Lena Drive near West Columbia, Metts said. Deputies and detectives conducted a ground search on Sunday and ground and aerial searches using a helicopter on Monday, December 26 in the area where Michael Georges car was found. The searches did not generate any leads concerning Michael Georges whereabouts.
Detectives determined that Michael George became highly intoxicated on Saturday, December 24 while drinking alcohol at a bar on Charleston Highway near Cayce, Metts said.
Michael George and a 33-year-old Swansea man, who is an acquaintance of Michael George, left Shooters bar at 3030 Charleston Highway at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Metts said. The 33-year-old man drove Michael George to the mans home near Swansea. Michael George later left the 33-year-old mans home.
Metts asked anyone with information concerning Michael George or Michael Georges whereabouts to call the Lexington County Sheriffs Department at (803) 785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.