Divers Searching Targeted Area of Lanier for Missing Teen

Cadaver dogs have helped searchers at Lake Lanier zero in on a specific area Tuesday in the hunt for missing Buford teen Griffin Prince, according to media reports.

WSB-TV has reported that cadaver dogs were alerted to a dead body odor during Monday afternoon’s search for the teen, who has been missing since the boating collision last week that also killed his brother.    

On Tuesday, dogs were taken back out and confirmed the area again. Divers are now searching in a targeted area that is very close to where the crash happened, Department of Natural Resources Regional Supervisor Capt. Mark Padgett told WSB.

Griffin Prince, 13, was thrown overboard in the collision late Monday, June 18. Jake Prince, 9, was killed in the crash. Authorities say that Paul J. Bennett, who operated a Johns Creek hair salon, drove his boat into a pontoon boat that was operated by the victims' father, Michael Prince Jr.

Crews have been searching about a quarter square mile on Lake Lanier with sonar equipment. They had to scale back the search last weekend because of heavy traffic on the lake. Monday morning, a specialized dive team from the FBI joined the effort.   

Patch will have updates on this incident.

See also:

• Suwanee Patch Topic Page has all stories on the Lanier boating tragedy.