Spring Break
Zinkhan's hidden body found in wooded area near his home (w/video)
Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: News
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According to Athens-Clarke County police, cadaver dogs and law enforcement searched the area where Zinkhan's 2005 Jeep Liberty was found, and a concealed body was uncovered during their extensive search of that area.
At a news conference Saturday afternoon, law enforcement officials revealed various aspects of the discovery, but would not say for certain it was Zinkhan, pending autopsy reports. Later Saturday, officials at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed the body was indeed Zinkhan.
The search team gave a scent to dogs Saturday morning, and they found the body within 10 minutes. The body was purposefully concealed, and Police Chief Jack Lumpkin said the body was beneath the earth, but not buried. The body was put in the ground, and something was pulled over it. Lumpkin has only seen something like this once before in his decades in law enforcement, but there are no indications that anyone else was involved.
GBI are still working on the autopsy and cause of death for the body. The body had a lot of decomposition, and had been there for a period of time, but police are unsure if it has been there since April 25.
The body was found near Fowler Mill Road, which was outside of the May 1 search area. The woods are thick in the area, prompting police to bring out even more people to search on foot. The dogs that found him are Madison, an Australian shepherd, and Circe, a German shepherd.
The body was found with two weapons, which are consistent with the two used during the crime - .22 and .38 pistols. The weapons are still being tested.
The closest home to the body is maybe a mile. No one lives on the property. Police are still waiting for final evidence, and a written statement will be sent out to the media later today, detailing what exactly was found.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 23
Keith T. Johnson, Rev.
posted 5/09/09 @ 2:14 PM EST
What an unlikely ending to what has been a most horrific crime? Finally in the end the great plot fell through? Or will it be the never ending sage of the perfect crime still yet remaining uncommitted? Still as of this reading the real tragedy lies upon the two innocent children who now have not the love nor experience of two biological parents, but pictures of a once loving family. (Continued…)
James
posted 5/09/09 @ 3:24 PM EST
One thing is for certain. There will be "tenure" of the kind he doesn't want where he is.
huh?
posted 5/09/09 @ 3:45 PM EST
What a coward, killing himself not to face justice.
Lucky
posted 5/09/09 @ 3:51 PM EST
The ACCPD got lucky. This man could have easily hopped a train and been in Canada by the time they found his car. He could have watched on TV as the cops were weeks behind his trail. (Continued…)
Good Job
posted 5/09/09 @ 4:05 PM EST
As a long-time (and non-student) resident of Athens, I would like to thank the Red and Black for their outstanding coverage of this story. Especially for the consistent updates on your Twitter page. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 5/09/09 @ 5:11 PM EST
Well, this just confirms what sub-par law enforcement the ACC police are. Took them a couple weeks to find a dead body a mile from his car, I guess they are too busy feeding their egos by busting underage kids downtown or catching people rolling through stop signs. (Continued…)
Jared '04
posted 5/09/09 @ 5:54 PM EST
Does anyone not see a problem with this??? The two weapons are conveniently found near the body, the body, according to the release, cannot be identified until an autopsy, due to the decomposition, and the body was found partially burried or covered, yet no signs of another person(s) were involved. (Continued…)
wan
posted 5/09/09 @ 7:05 PM EST
The Red and Black coverage has been excellent! I live in the search area. Is it possible that Zinkhans' remains were found yesterday,Friday ? Just a wild thought,because early yesterday afternoon there was a Fox news truck parked in search area(Fowler Mill Rd. (Continued…)
George P. Burdell
posted 5/09/09 @ 9:27 PM EST
Well, the Zinkhan divorce comes to a conclusion.
KateSC75
posted 5/10/09 @ 1:28 AM EST
There is some satisfaction in the fact that he has killed himself, at least the state of Georgia will not have to go to the expense of prosecuting him and feeding him and housing him. (Continued…)
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