PATTERSON — A 21-year-old Waycross man has been identified by Pierce County Sheriff Ramsey Bennett as the victim in a murder investigation. Sheriff Ramsey identified Dale Austin Duncan as the person whose body was discovered around midday Tuesday, August 9. Duncan’s body was found on timber company property off Zirkle Road east of Patterson. The name was released late Friday afternoon, August 12. The sheriff said the State Medical Examiner’s Office determined Duncan’s death was by homicide. Sheriff Bennett confirmed the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and Ware County Sheriff’s Office are working leads in the case. There have been no arrests made in the case, he said. The Pierce County sheriff declined to give any additional details concerning the manner of death. Bennett has stated the body was not located near the landing or the steel dam on the Little Satilla River there off Zirkle Road. “We ask the public to help us by being our eyes and our ears,” Bennett stated. “If you saw or heard something or know anything about the case — no matter how small it might be — please call us.” Tips may be called in to the Pierce County Sheriff’s tip line at (912) 807-TIPS (8477) or by calling 911.
