Mason Cox and David Wood (both 20), Missing Since January 2, 2014 - Dawson County, GA

2 friends, 20, reported missing after Dawson Co. fishing trip

Posted: Jan 03, 2014 10:26 AM CST
Updated: Jan 03, 2014 5:33 PM CST

By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF


(Videos at link)

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. - Dawson County authorities are searching for two missing young men who disappeared after leaving for an early morning fishing trip.

Mason Cox and David Wood were last seen Thursday in the area of Frederick's Cove. Officials say the two best friends were believed to be fishing behind Wood's house on Lake Lanier. Their fishing poles were returned, but the men have not been seen or heard from since.

The men's mothers believe that a friend may have picked them up, as their cars are still at Wood's house. Dawsonville deputies said surveillance footage shows a vehicle coming in and out of the neighborhood at the same time that the boys vanished.

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If you have seen Mason or David you are asked to call Investigator Murphy at 706-344-3636 or your local sheriff.

Read more:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24355811/dawson-county-authorities-search-for-missing-teens#axzz2pjqup2CF

This photo, being circulated on Facebook, pleads for information on the pair.



This new photo, submitted to FOX5 by family members, shows the friends.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24355811/dawson-county-authorities-search-for-missing-teens#axzz2pjqup2CF

Help Find Mason Cox and David Wood

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873

If you have any information please do not hesitate to call the Sheriffs office or Mason's mom at 706-429-7706. If you wish to stay anonymous please send a message to us here and we'll get it to the family with no names attached. PLEASE SHARE THIS!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873?id=353133091495873&sk=photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=353197478156101&set=pb.353133091495873.-2207520000.1389121526.&type=3&theater

Help Find Mason Cox and David Wood
5 hours ago

The GBI is finally involved to find my missing brother and his friend. To those who are ignorant, they did not run away and are not hiding. We will find those involved with the disappearance and punish them to the fullest extent their life has to offer.

The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Dawson County Emergency Services, continues to search for MASON COX and DAVID WOOD. Investigators continue actively pursuing all investigative leads, while search efforts continue. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of these subjects, please contact the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office at 706-344-3636.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873

Search continues for missing men

Family holds out hope for safe return

By David Renner drenner@dawsonnews.com
POSTED:January 8, 2014 4:00 a.m.

Foul play has not been ruled out in the disappearance of two Dawson County men who were last seen Jan. 2.

It's been nearly a week since Mason Cox and David Wood, both 20, seemingly vanished after a night of fishing from a dock in the area of Fredericks Cove on Lake Lanier off Ga. 400.

~Snipped~

Wooten said a neighbor provided video footage of a vehicle pulling up to one of the homes and then leaving the night the men reportedly went missing.

"We've sent the video off to be enhanced," he said. "We have a potential description of the vehicle, but we're not releasing that information at this time."

~Snipped~

Wooten said evidence has determined the men, who live two houses apart in the Fredericks Cove neighborhood, had been fishing from a neighbor's dock.

"The boys were initially reported to have gone fishing, but both of their poles are currently at their homes," Wooten said.

Read more:

http://www.dawsonnews.com/section/5/article/13756/

Search continues for missing Dawsonville men

Posted: Jan 08, 2014 10:14 AM CST
Updated: Jan 08, 2014 10:17 AM CST

By Mandi Milligan

DAWSONVILLE, GA (CBS ATLANTA) - A petition created to urge CNN and other media outlets to air the story of two missing Dawsonville men have gained attention.

Mason Cox and David Wood, both 20, have been missing for a week.

According to family, Cox and Wood were set to go fishing near Fredericks Cove on Jan. 2. Their fishing poles were found outside on the porch.

The Dawson County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Dawson County Emergency Services, are searching for the men.

On Wednesday at 1 p.m., Department of Natural Resources officials will put boats in the water at Fredericks Cove as the search continues for Cox and Wood.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of the men, please contact the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at 706-344-3636.

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/24395157/search-continues-for-missing-dawsonville-men

Search continues for missing Dawsonville men (Video)

Posted: Jan 08, 2014 3:51 PM CST
Updated: Jan 08, 2014 4:15 PM CST

By Deidra Dukes, FOX 5 reporter

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. - The search continues for two 20-year-old Dawsonville men who vanished last week.

The recent cold snap has hampered efforts to find David Wood and Mason Cox. The two best friends haven't been seen since heading out to go fishing in the area of Frederick's Cove  on Lake Lanier early Jan. 2.

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With the Department of Natural Resources unable to launch its sonar-equipped boat in Frederick's Cove due to lake conditions, a search team lowered cameras through holes in the ice as a cadaver dog scoured the nearby banks for any sign of 20-year-olds now missing for nearly a week.

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Authorities initially believed they might have been picked up by a vehicle captured by a neighbor's surveillance camera at one of the boys' homes at around 5:30 that morning, But after reviewing the video, investigators determined it was a garbage truck.

Read more:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24398814/search-continues-for-missing-dawsonville-men#axzz2pr0q2eUm

Cadaver dogs search for missing friends in Dawson County

12:18 AM, Jan 9, 2014



Video - Click to play

By Julie Wolfe

DAWSONVILLE, Ga-- It's been one week since 20-year-old friends David Wood and Mason Cox disappeared. Their families are baffled.  So are police. No one's giving up trying to find them.

Investigators with cadaver dogs continue to search the woods near the young men's homes in the Frederick's Cove neighborhood off of Lake Lanier in Dawsonville.

~Snipped~

David Wood, studying to be a draftsman, and Mason Cox, who was about to begin school to train to be a firefighter, disappeared before dawn Thursday, January 2, from Wood's home, where the two had gone after their early morning fishing trip on the lake.  They often fished together in the early morning hours.

Their mothers, Ethelyn Geiger and LeeAnne Cox, tell 11Alive News that all evidence still points to this -- that their sons may have driven off with someone, suddenly.

Read more:

http://www.11alive.com/News/Crime/318275/445/Cadaver-dogs-search-for-missing-friends-in-Dawson-County

Police search water with sonar for signs of missing Dawsonville men (Video)

Posted: Jan 08, 2014 3:51 PM CST
Updated: Jan 09, 2014 4:41 PM CST

By Deidra Dukes, FOX 5 reporter

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. - The search continues for two 20-year-old Dawsonville men who vanished last week.

The recent cold snap has hampered efforts to find David Wood and Mason Cox. But on Thursday officials began using sonar helicopters searching for the men who were last believed to have been heading out to go fishing in the area of Frederick's Cove  on Lake Lanier early Jan. 2.

~Snipped~

On Thursday, investigators used sonar from the air and in the water to search for any signs of the missing men.

~Snipped~

Family members are praying for the boys' safe return and asking anyone with information to call authorities at 706-344-3636.

Read more:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24398814/search-continues-for-missing-dawsonville-men#axzz2pwxqq2RE

Dawsonville, GA

January 2014 Weather

http://m.accuweather.com/en/us/dawsonville-ga/30534/month/332532

David Wood and Mason Cox missing in Dawson County

12:18 AM, Jan 9, 2014



Video - Click to play

DAWSONVILLE, Ga-- It's been one week since 20-year-old friends David Wood and Mason Cox disappeared. Their families are baffled. So are police. No one's giving up trying to find them.

Investigators with cadaver dogs continue to search the woods near the young men's homes in the Frederick's Cove neighborhood off of Lake Lanier in Dawsonville.

~Snipped~

One left his cell phone and wallet behind. The other's cell phone is missing, and was turned off at about 6:00 a.m. Thursday, according to Dawson County Sheriff's Major Tony Wooten.

Maj. Wooten has known both families since Wood and Cox were small boys. Wooten coached Wood in Little League baseball.

"And I know the families, so I know that, it is our belief, that the kids would have reached out and made contact with somebody at this point.... We've just come up with nothing."

Read more:

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/318275/1/David-Wood-and-Mason-Cox-missing-in-Dawson-County

Georgia friends DISAPPEAR following fishing trip

David Wood and Mason Cox vanished early Jan. 2, leaving behind many of their belongings. ‘It’s like they just disappeared into thin air,’ one of their desperate parents said.

BY STEPHEN REX BROWN / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2014, 1:08 PM

The hunt for two pals who disappeared while fishing in Georgia entered its seventh day Thursday as their mothers made a desperate plea for tips.

David Wood and Mason Cox vanished Jan. 2 following a late-night fishing trip at Lake Lanier in Dawsonville, which is about 60 miles north of Atlanta.



LeAnne Cox made a plea for help in the search for her son Mason and his friend David Wood.

The mother of the 20-year-olds, Ethelyn Geiger and LeAnne Cox, told 11Alive News that Dawson County investigators are focused on the possibility that the men may have left Wood’s home suddenly with someone else.

Police found Cox’s cellphone and wallet still at the house. Wood’s cellphone was turned off at 6 a.m. the day of their disappearance, the local news station reported.

~Snipped~



The 20-year-old friends had gone night fishing before their disappearance.

The parents were hopeful that their sons were still alive, but Dawson County Sheriffs were also investigating a more grim outcome.

Police used cadaver dogs to search the area around the lake and divers were ready to scour the bottom of the lake once it thawed.

Read more:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/georgia-friends-disappear-fishing-trip-article-1.1571014#ixzz2py8gzAtC

Search continues for missing Ga. men

Friday Jan 10, 2014 | The Associated Press

Search continues for 2 men reported missing in Dawson County

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. (AP) — The search is continuing for two Dawson County men who were gearing up for a fishing trip and were reported missing.

Officials say Mason Cox and David Wood, both 20, have been missing for a week and were supposed to go fishing near Fredericks Cove near Lake Lanier on Jan. 2.

Sheriff's officials say they'll send divers into the water and search near a dock belonging to one of the men's neighbors.

~Snipped~

Authorities have said they have no leads in the case.

Read more:

http://www.newsdaily.com/united-states/3696584b287e6359b6ac12f64833f321/search-continues-for-missing-ga-men

Mason Cox and David Wood Missing: Search for Georgia Men Ramps Up

By Zachary Stieber, Epoch Times | January 10, 2014
Last Updated: January 10, 2014 4:12 pm

The search for Mason Cox and David Wood, two Georgia friends who have gone missing, has been ramping up this week.

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Local officials searched Lake Lanier in Dawson County on Thursday, using a private barge to break through ice on the lake, and using sonar equipment. Extreme weather prevented a search of the lake on Friday.

~Snipped~

Surveillance footage hasn’t turned up anything so far, Wooten told the Gainesville Times.

~Snipped~

Ethelyn Geiger, David Wood’s mom, said she’s not giving up hope.

“It’s just a mystery. It feels like they’ve just vanished,” she said. “But in my heart … I believe they’re out there somewhere and I believe someone knows where they are and is afraid for whatever reason to share that information.”

Read more:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/442679-mason-cox-and-david-wood-missing-search-for-georgia-men-ramps-up/

Mason Cox and David Wood Missing: Dead Bodies of Missing Georgia Men Found

By Zachary Stieber, Epoch Times | January 10, 2014
Last Updated: January 10, 2014 6:45 pm

Mason Cox and David Wood, two Georgia friends went missing, have been found dead in Lake Lanier.

The pair, both 20 years old, went fishing early, around 3:30 a.m., on January 2 and hadn’t been seen since.

Local officials searched Lake Lanier in Dawson County on Thursday, using a private barge to break through ice on the lake, and using sonar equipment.

A search on Friday turned up the bodies, reported WSB-TV.

Story developing; check back for updates

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/442679-mason-cox-and-david-wood-missing-search-for-georgia-men-ramps-up/

GBI: Bodies of missing Dawsonville men found in lake (Video)

Posted: Jan 10, 2014 3:40 PM CST
Updated: Jan 10, 2014 7:36 PM CST

By Nicole Estaphan, FOX 5 multi-media journalist

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. - The bodies of two Dawsonville men missing for more than a week have been found in Lake Lanier, according to the GBI.

A dive team spent the day searching the waters of Lake Lanier for David Wood and Mason Cox. The two men were last believed to have been heading out to go fishing in the area of Frederick's Cove early Jan. 2.

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Late Friday afternoon, crews found the bodies of the men in the area of Frederick's Cove. Both were fully clothed and there were no obvious signs of trauma, according to investigators. The cause of death has not been determined.

Read more:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24419415/dive-teams-continue-search-for-missing-dawsonville-men#axzz2q3BMHU3m

Bodies of 2 missing men pulled from Lake Lanier

Updated: 7:29 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 | Posted: 6:36 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2014



By Alexis Stevens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Their families and community held out hope that two best friends would be found alive.

But on the ninth day of searching, the story took a tragic turn Friday afternoon. Within 15 minutes, divers pulled the bodies of the two missing 20-year-olds from Lake Lanier, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office said.

The bodies of Mason Cox and David Wood, missing since Jan. 2 after a fishing trip, were found in the area of Fredricks Cove, according to Major Tony Wooten with the sheriff’s office.

Investigators have not determined what happened to the men, but there were no initial signs of trauma, Wooten said by phone Friday night. Autopsies will be conducted on both men, he said.

Read more:

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/breaking-bodies-of-2-missing-men-pulled-from-lake-/ncjp7/

 

How terribly sad.

Dawson County Sheriff's Office
3 hours ago via mobile.

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, January 10, 2014. Please remember the families in your prayers, while respecting their privacy during this extremely difficult time.

https://www.facebook.com/dawson.co.sheriff

Crews find bodies of missing men in Lake Lanier

Updated: 10:42 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 | Posted: 6:33 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2014

Excerpts:

Their longtime friends said the emotions surrounding the discovery are still raw.

"There's no healing. This is a small town. Everybody will tell you it's like losing a part of your family," said friend Lee Smith.

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"It was sickening for all of us," Smith said about his reaction when he found out the bodies had been recovered.

The bodies were found not far from a boat dock that investigators initially keyed in on. They said the icy waters kept them from making the discovery earlier.

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Friends said they're still trying to make sense of this. They said both men were athletic.

"No obvious signs of trauma on either body. At this point, like we said, they'll go to the crime lab, they'll perform an autopsy," Wooten said.

"I just want to know what happened," friend Samie Smith said. "I just feel like everyone will feel better when we know what happened."

Read more:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/crews-find-two-bodies-lake-lanier/ncjp6/

Bodies pulled from lake are missing Dawson County men

Memorial service planned for Sunday

By Michele Hester Staff Writer
mhester@dawsonnews.com
POSTED:January 11, 2014 11:56 a.m.

Authorities have confirmed that the bodies found in Fredericks Cove on Lake Lanier Friday afternoon in Dawson County are
that of Mason Cox and David Wood.

~Snipped~

The sonar search of the cove was to "rule out the lake," Wooten said, as family members continued to hold out hope for the men's safe return home.

The bodies were submerged in between 15-20 feet of water and about 30 feet from a dock.

The first body was found about 5:30 p.m. followed by the second about 15 minutes later, Wooten said.

~Snipped~

"At this point, the preliminary report didn't show any signs of trauma, obviously signs were able to see," Wooten said. "Without the autopsy, we won't be able to comment any further on that."

The bodies were taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Atlanta, where autopsies are scheduled for Monday.

Read more:

http://www.dawsonnews.com/section/1/article/13770/

Families of missing Dawsonville men begin to heal (Video)

Posted: Jan 10, 2014 3:40 PM CST
Updated: Jan 11, 2014 9:26 PM CST

By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. - The bodies of two Dawsonville men missing for more than a week were found in Lake Lanier late Friday afternoon, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

~Snipped

The friends live in a Dawsonville subdivision and often fish off a neighbor's dock. They told their families they were heading out to go fishing at about 3:30 a.m. last Thursday. The boys didn't take their cars, and their fishing poles and other items were discovered at their homes.

Late Friday afternoon, crews found the bodies of the men in the area of Frederick's Cove. Sonar discovered the two bodies about a quarter of a mile from a dock where it's believed the two were fishing. The men were submerged about 15 to 20 feet and about 30 yards from a nearby dock.

Read more:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24419415/dive-teams-continue-search-for-missing-dawsonville-men#axzz2q9RwKzQ1

Mothers of drowned Dawsonville men talk of love, loss and lingering doubts

Posted: 5:32 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

By Dan Chapman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mason Cox left a chicken-scratched list of New Year’s resolutions upon the center console of his Toyota 4Runner.

“I’m going to land a job.”

“Help my friends make better choices.”

“Find a girl that will better me.”

“Be more self-reliant.”

~Snipped~

A memorial service was scheduled Sunday at the North Georgia Church in Dawsonville to honor the too-short lives of the local boys just beginning to figure who they were and where they were going. Their mothers also spoke Sunday with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of their own love and laments, their sorrows and suspicions of what truly befell Mason and David.

~Snipped~

David and his then-girlfriend had a son, Carter, now 20 months old, who exclaimed “Dada” each time his father’s face appeared on the TV screen this past week.

“Carter is his legacy. Now I know God had a plan,” Geiger said. “They had such a sweet bond, but now his dad won’t be here to watch him grow up. Carter has the best nature and he got a lot of that from his dad. He’s just a sweet little boy.”

Read more:

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/breaking-news/mothers-of-drowned-dawsonville-men-talk-of-love-lo/nckxM/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873#!/photo.php?fbid=357979801011202&set=a.353134041495778.1073741827.353133091495873&type=1&theater

Hundreds turn out for vigil for 2 men found dead in Lake Lanier

Posted: 10:46 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014



DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Autopsies for two missing men found Friday in Lake Lanier are scheduled to begin Monday.

Hundreds packed in to Dawsonville's North Georgia Church Sunday to remember Mason Cox and David Wood -- best friends whose untimely deaths have rocked not only their families but everyone in this small, tight-knit community.

"Just to be here for love and for strength, because I need some love and strength right now too because I'm in pain as well," said Wood family friend Martha Zappia-Long.

"A lot of sorrow, a lot of heartache. Just grief, unbelievable grief," said Zappia-Long.

~Snipped~

Friends describe Mason and David, who had a young son of his own, as adventurous and full of life.

With no obvious signs of trauma found on either body, many are struggling to understand what could have happened to the athletic friends who grew up on the lake.

Read more:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/hundreds-turn-out-vigil-2-men-found-dead-lake-lani/nck5Z/

GBI plans autopsies on 2 men found dead in Lake Lanier

published Monday, January 13th, 2014

By Associated Press

ATLANTA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation plans autopsies on the bodies of two men who went missing after a Jan. 2 fishing trip.

CBS Atlanta reports that autopsies on Mason Cox and David Wood are set for today.

~Snipped~

Many people in the tight-knit community are struggling to understand what could have happened to the athletic friends who grew up on the lake.

Autopsy shows David Wood and Mason Cox drowned

5:25 PM, Jan 13, 2014
By Don Buckindail

DAWSON COUNTY, GA -- Investigators just released the autopsy results from the Dawson County friends who died last week.

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Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations completed the autopsy. In both cases, their deaths were ruled as drownings.

~Snipped~

Officials are still awaiting the toxicology report. That will say whether either young man had alcohol or drugs in his system. That report likely won't be completed for weeks.

Read more:

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/318872/40/Missing-Dawson-County-men-found-in-lake-officially-drowned

Autopsy reveals Dawsonville men accidentally drowned

Posted: Monday, January 13th 2014 at 4:58pm

DAWSONVILLE - The autopsy results for two Dawsonville men that went missing after a fishing trip on January 2 reveal the two died by drowning, compunded with hypothermia according to GBI spokeswoman Sherry Lang.

"Today the GBI's medical examiners completed autopsy examinations of Mason Cox and David Wood and the results of those autopsy examinations concluded that the manner of death was accidental and the cause of death was drowning compunded by hypothermia," said Lang.

Read more:

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=269866

Help Find Mason Cox and David Wood shared a link.
about an hour ago

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Dahlonega Funeral Home in Dahlonega. Visitation will be Friday, January 17, 3-5 p.m. The service to celebrate Mason’s life will be held immediately after visitation at 5:00 p.m.

I will post details for David Wood as soon as I receive any more information pertaining to his funeral as well.

Obituary for: Mason Cox | Dahlonega Funeral Home

http://www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2380584&fh_id=12667

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873

Help Find Mason Cox and David Wood
January 15.

Funeral arrangements for David Wood will be held by Beardens Funeral Home in Dawsonville. First visitation will be on Friday, January 17th, 2014, 6:00pm - 9:00pm at 334 Hwy. 53 East Dawsonville, GA. The service will be on Saturday, January 18th, 2014, 1:00pm being held at First Baptist Church of Dawsonville 900 Hwy. 9 North Dawsonville, GA.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873

Lori Wood David's arrangements are available online at:

http://www.beardenfuneralhome.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873

In Memory Of

David Bruce Wood Jr.

1993 - 2014

http://www.beardenfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/1774201/Wood-David/index.php[/b]

David Wood Jr.
Obituary

See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=david-wood&pid=169103088&#sthash.tmWtU2As.dpuf

Linda-Marie Ocampo > Help Find Mason Cox and David Wood
January 15

Rest in Peace Mason


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873#!/photo.php?fbid=10202891546270347&set=o.353133091495873&type=1&theater

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Linda-Marie Ocampo > Help Find Mason Cox and David Wood
January 15

Rest in Peace David


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Mason-Cox-and-David-Wood/353133091495873#!/photo.php?fbid=10202891544790310&set=o.353133091495873&type=1&theater