MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Missing Baldwin County teenager Jeffrey Epps has been found dead, according to officials from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’m sad to inform you, he walks with God now,” said Baldwin County Chief Deputy Scott Deason.

Deason said that a dive team went into a “water source of interest” around 7 a.m. Wednesday. He said they did not discover anything in the pond at that time.

Crews continued their search of more than 4,000 acres, Deason said. After pumping the same water source that they previously searched, Deason said that it “went from a search to a recovery.”

Deason said that they recovered Epps’s body from the pond.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office said this in a statement:

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the more than 200 volunteers, as well as the dedicated public safety and law enforcement agencies, whose tireless efforts made this possible,” the statement read. “At this difficult time, we ask that the privacy of Jeffrey’s family be respected. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this challenging period.”

Deason said that over 200 people from the Baldwin County community and surrounded communities assisted in the search.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia State Patrol worked with local law enforcement to help locate Epps.

Along with local law officials, they had canines on the ground, as well as drones and helicopters in the air.

More Than A Number is a Poynter-Stand Together award-winning project by Justin Baxley designed to help families of loved ones impacted by tragedy and trauma interact with journalists in a less intrusive way. Families are able to fill out a form about their family and also receive an in-depth guide on the next steps.

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