WDEF News 12

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A body found at Cloudland Canyon Park Thursday evening is believed to be that of 45 year old Judy Payne.

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The wife and mother of two has been missing since Monday.

The discovery ends a three day search by dozens of people. Kim Hatcher, GA State Parks, says, "DNR search crews did find a body that we do believe to be Miss Payne."

Three days of searching by some 40 to 60 people ended around 4:05 Thursday afternoon with the discovery of the body of a while female.

Sheriff Patrick Cannon says the body was found at the bottom of a cliff.

He says it appears the woman fell some 200 to 250 feet.

Kim Hatcher with Georgia State Parks.

Hatcher, "We had several search crews out here on ropes doing high angle recovery so they've gone down into the canyon and recovered the body."

45 year old Judy Payne didn't show up at work Monday.

Her car turned up at Cloudland Canyon State Park that night.

Hatcher, "The search has actually been going on since Monday night because as soon as they discovered the car after the park had closed and discovered that she had not returned home that evening they actually searched the main trails that evening."

Helicopters, dogs and even an airplane with infrared expanded the search and rescue operation.

Hatcher, "This was a very difficult search out here actually because of the rough terrain. I mean you can see behind me the steep cliffs that they have here. It's a very rugged park so it was difficult on some of the searchers."

Now there's bitter sweet relief.

Hatcher, "We're relieved to be able to bring closure to the family and we're sorry that it ended in this manner."

Payne's family has been notified.

Sheriff Cannon says foul play is not suspected.

An official confirmation of the identity and cause of death is expected tomorrow after an autopsy.

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