Woman reported missing from Fort Yargo State Park found
Crews are searching for a missing 21-year-old woman at Fort Yargo State Park on September 3, 2026. (SKYFOX5/ Winder Police Department)
WINDER, Ga. - Erica Gibson was found in the Atlanta area and is safe, according to officials. She is no longer considered missing. No other information was provided.
ORIGINAL STORY
Search operations at Fort Yargo State Park came to a close Thursday after police learned missing 21-year-old Erica Gibson left the area on her own, though the search to ensure her safety continues statewide.
Search for Erica Gibson
What we know:
Search crews with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are looking for a missing woman at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder.
Twenty-one-year-old Erica Gibson was reported missing at the park around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the agency.
Erica Gibson (Credit: Winder Police Department)
Gibson is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 132 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue jean shorts and a green/ gray shirt.
Authorities believe she may be on foot.
Georgia DNR said the search began after Gibson's cell phone was found in the park on Wednesday. Investigators have reportedly learned information that raised concerns about her emotional well-being.
Dive teams are scanning the lake inside the park with sonar equipment while the park remains closed Thursday.
The Winder Police Department, Winder Fire Department, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, and Georgia State Patrol Dive Team are involved in the search.
The search was suspended around 6:30 p.m. Thursday with normal operations resuming at the park.
Authorities said that there is no indication of foul play in her disappearance at this time.
What we don't know:
Police have not disclosed where Gibson headed after leaving the park or where she might be staying. Investigators have also not released additional details regarding her current emotional state or what led up to her leaving her phone behind.
Search for missing woman, 21, shuts down Ft. Yargo State Park
Winder authorities are searching for a missing woman, 21-year-old Erica Gibson, who was last seen in Fort Yargo State Park. They are asking for the public's help in finding Gibson.
What you can do:
Anyone who spots Gibson should call 911 immediately. Tipsters can also submit information directly to the Winder Police Department by calling 678-425-6849 or emailing wayne.manthe@cityofwinder.com.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials, who explained how dive teams and sonar equipment are being used in the search. Additional information comes from the Winder Police Department. This article has been updated since it was originally published.