Mother wants answers in case of missing son
Eric Waters, aka Travis Eric Smith, hasn't been seen since Dec. 20. (2019)
Eric Waters, aka Travis Eric Smith, went missing Dec. 20, after he had been paid and dropped off at an acquaintance’s Candler County home.
His mother, FW, said she was told her son was last seen on Westside Road near David Colley Road, along with another man, assisting someone with an alleged mechanical breakdown.
Several of Eric Waters’ friends have launched search parties over the past few weeks, and some have found what she considers strong evidence that something bad happened to her son, she said. The evidence and information has been turned over to Bulloch County Sheriff’s investigators, but Ms. Waters said she is not satisfied with progress and wants additional help.
“But they (Bulloch County Sheriff Noel Brown and Inv. William Simms) told me they didn’t need the GBI,” she said. “They said they are handling it.”
Bulloch County Sheriff’s Capt. Todd Hutchens confirmed the sheriff’s office has had no need to call GBI to assist in the missing persons search.
“At this time there is nothing they can do that we aren’t doing.”
Alleged evidence has been shared with the Statesboro Herald regarding Waters’ disappearance. Two of Waters’ friends who have been heavily involved in their own searches – JS and SS – have shared the information with investigators as well, but the Herald is not yet revealing the information shared so as not to hamper or taint the investigative efforts of the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.
In an emailed response to questions by the Herald, Hutchens said “Not sure what all information you are being told but we are actively working every lead we have. The investigation is ongoing and the search for Smith continues.”
