Human remains found in McMinn identified as missing Fort Oglethorpe man

MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Authorities have identified the skeletal human remains that were found in McMinn County last week. The sheriff’s office said these remains belonged to a missing Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia man.

Hunters found these remains in the woods near Athens last Thursday, October 19. Authorities immediately began investigating. They sent the remains to a forensic lab in Knoxville for identification.

Now, the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office said these were the remains of Fort Oglethorpe native, David Abbott.

Abbott went missing in June of 2016, according to Sheriff Joe Guy.

“Investigators say that there is no evidence of foul play; that Mr. Abbott seems to have walked off into the wooded area and passed away shortly after leaving his truck on County Road 126,” said Sheriff Guy.

On Monday, October 23, Fort Oglethorpe Detective Steve Blevins contacted the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office. The detective mentioned the possibility that the remains could be related to a case Detective Blevins worked in 2016, Sheriff Guy said.

Detective Blevins then contacted the forensics center about his cold case. The forensics center then confirmed the remains were of David Abbott, Sheriff Guy explained.

According to Sheriff Guy, Abbott was reported missing on June 23, 2016. The next day, his truck was found abandoned in a driveway in McMinn County. He said the truck was on County Road 126, just off Highway 30.

McMinn deputies and Detective Blevins had previously searched the area but could not find Abbott.

Abbott’s family told authorities that Abbott had mental health issues and many other health problems.

The location of Abbott’s remains were about 3/4 mile from where his truck was found in 2016.

“Detective Blevins and our officers had communicated several times over the past six years about this case,” said Sheriff Guy. “So we are fortunate to have located Mr. Abbott, confirm his identity, and bring some peace to his family. We appreciate the assistance of the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, but especially Detective Blevins, who even in his retirement kept working diligently on this case.”

This will officially close the cold case of David Abbott, according to Fort Oglethorpe Police.

Both Sheriff Guy and Detective Blevins, who is now retired, will stay in contact with Abbott’s family. They say they will continue to be a contact for any resources they might need.