A somber atmosphere enveloped Tyler State Park on July 14, as the body of a missing man was discovered on one of the park's hiking trails. The remains were later identified as those of George Sawyer, a 53-year-old resident of Southlake.
The ordeal began when Sawyer's worried wife reported him missing. According to Smith County officials, George Sawyer had a history of medical issues, raising concerns about his well-being and safety. Authorities promptly launched a search operation to locate the missing man.
It was on the morning of July 14 that a group of hikers stumbled upon a tragic sight - the lifeless body of George Sawyer lying on a hiking trail. The discovery was made at approximately 10 a.m.
Officials revealed that Sawyer's body was in the early stages of decomposition, indicating that he might have been deceased for some time before being found. The exact cause of death remained uncertain, prompting authorities to take further steps to determine what led to the tragic end of his life.
The investigation took an important turn when Sawyer's car was located at the trailhead parking. This discovery corroborated the suspicion that he had indeed entered Tyler State Park. However, it also raised additional questions about how he ended up deceased on the hiking trail.
In light of the circumstances surrounding George Sawyer's death, Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Curtis Wulf ordered an autopsy.
