Remains of Florida tourist discovered in Georgia woods two years after disappearance: FBI

The remains of Alex Hodgson Doughty, a 32-year-old tourist from the United Kingdom, have been found in a privately owned wooded area in Georgia, nearly two and a half years after he went missing. The FBI’s Jacksonville field office confirmed that Doughty’s remains were discovered on February 4, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified them. Doughty had been visiting Jacksonville, Florida, in September 2022 when he vanished, and his disappearance left his family and authorities baffled. The FBI led the search efforts, utilizing geolocation data from his phone, though it remains unclear why it took over two years to locate his remains. authorities do not suspect foul play, and no charges are expected in connection with his death.

Doughty’s journey began in Jacksonville, where he was last seen at the Bay Street Bar and Grill around 3:30 p.m. on September 11, 2022. Later that day, he was dropped off in a taxi heading toward Kingsland, Georgia, a small town about 35 miles north of Jacksonville. From there, his trail went cold. His mother, Pamela Hodgson, grew increasingly worried when he stopped communicating with family and friends. In January 2023, she took to his Facebook page to plead for help, writing, “Alex has been missing now for four months. Please help find him.” She expressed her concern that he might have stopped in nearby towns like Callahan or Fernandina, Florida, but there was no sign of him.

The FBI’s investigation into Doughty’s disappearance was extensive, involving their Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST), which worked tirelessly to narrow down potential search locations using geolocation data from his phone. Despite these efforts, it would take more than two years for authorities to pinpoint his location. The FBI’s Evidence Response Team ultimately led the search that uncovered his remains in the wooded area in Kingsland, Georgia. While the agency has not provided specifics about how Doughty ended up there, they have ruled out foul play, offering some measure of closure for his family.

Pamela Hodgson’s Facebook post highlighted the deep concern she and Doughty’s loved ones felt as the months dragged on with no word from him. She noted that he hadn’t been in contact with anyone since arriving in Florida and that his family was “extremely worried about him.” Her plea for help underscored the desperation and uncertainty that often accompany a loved one’s disappearance. As the search for Doughty continued, the FBI’s Jacksonville field office remained committed to solving the case, working alongside local law enforcement and utilizing advanced investigative techniques to track down any leads.

In a statement, FBI Special Agent in Charge Kristin Rehler expressed gratitude for the partnerships and efforts that ultimately led to the discovery of Doughty’s remains. She acknowledged the difficulty of the case but emphasized the importance of providing closure to Doughty’s family. “While we had hoped to bring Mr. Doughty’s family better news, we are thankful to be able to provide them with some closure,” she said. The discovery is a testament to the relentless work of the FBI’s CAST team, which specializes in analyzing cellular data to locate missing individuals.

As news of Doughty’s passing spread, it brought an end to the long and painful uncertainty for his family. While the circumstances of his disappearance and death may never be fully understood, the FBI’s efforts to locate him demonstrate the dedication of law enforcement to resolving even the most challenging cases. Doughty’s story serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of closure for loved ones left behind. His memory will live on through his family and friends, who hoped for his safe return but now must find comfort in the knowledge that he has been found.