Dive Team Recovered Men's Bodies Near Where They Entered the Lake

By Brande Poulnot 

The bodies of two missing Dawsonville men were found Friday in Lake Lanier.

Mason Cox and David Wood, both 20, were last seen Jan. 2 in the area of Fredericks Cove in Dawsonville, which is north of Forsyth County off GA 400 on the lake. The two had left for a 3:30 a.m. fishing trip, according to the families.

"With much sadness, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office reports the bodies of MASON COX and DAVID WOOD were retrieved from Lake Lanier in the area of Fredricks Cove on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014," the Dawson County Sheriff's Officeposted on its Facebook page late Friday. "Please remember the families in your prayers, while respecting their privacy during this extremely difficult time."

Freezing temperatures and an inch of ice blanketing the cove halted search efforts on the water until Friday, DawsonNews.com reports.

The Hall County Dive Team recovered the men's bodies about a quarter mile from where they were believed to have entered the lake in 15 to 20 feet of water, according to CBS Atlanta. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will continue investigating of the deaths and conduct autopsies, but authorities say there are no signs of foul play.