A hiker on a Georgia mountain came across a grim scene Wednesday, discovering the remains of two people in a case now under review by state investigators as authorities work to determine what happened.
The remains were located on Mount Yonah in White County around 11:20 a.m. on Sept. 9, the White County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies with the sheriff’s office and personnel from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources responded to the mountain after the discovery was reported.
A view from the top of Mount Yonah in Georgia. (iStock)
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Region 8 Crime Scene Unit was later requested to assist with processing and examining the scene.
Authorities have released only limited information so far.
Mount Yonah is seen in the distance from downtown Helen, Georgia. (iStock)
The sheriff’s office has not publicly identified the two people or disclosed their causes of death. Officials also have not released their ages or genders, and it remains unclear how long the remains had been on the mountain.
The sheriff’s office has not said whether foul play is suspected.
The investigation remained ongoing Wednesday, with Sheriff Rick Kelley saying his office would provide more information as it becomes available.
Mount Yonah in Georgia is seen from a roadway during autumn. (iStock)
“The human remains located on Mt. Yonah have been sent to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy to determine cause of death and for identification purpose,” the sheriff said in a press release Thursday afternoon. “Investigators are working on trying to identify the two deceased persons. The investigation is active and ongoing.”
Mount Yonah is in northeast Georgia, near the cities of Helen and Cleveland, and is a popular destination for hikers.
