The discovery of two badly decomposed bodies in a Summerville residence on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, has launched an investigation into their identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy “Big Mac” McElhaney confirmed this week that the identification process is underway, awaiting DNA analysis from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).The bodies were found inside a home located off Highway 114, also known as the Lyerly Highway. Coroner McElhaney told WZQZ News that while authorities have a preliminary idea of who the individuals might be, official confirmation is pending due to the advanced state of decomposition.

“They were in bad shape,” McElhaney stated. “We are pretty certain who they are but GBI won’t let us speculate since they can’t be ID’d visually.”

McElhaney added that the GBI Crime Lab is conducting DNA analysis for identification, a process that can take up to two weeks. Severely decomposed bodies can be more challenging and time-consuming to analyze, extending the identification timeline.

The grim discovery was made after concerned neighbors reported an unsettling lack of activity at the home for several days, coupled with the alarming sight of buzzards circling overhead. Responding to the reports, law enforcement officers entered the residence late Tuesday, where they found the two adult bodies.

Many questions remain unanswered regarding the identities of the deceased and the precise circumstances surrounding their deaths. Authorities are urging patience as the GBI Crime Lab works to officially identify the individuals and gather further evidence.