Formal search ends for lawyer missing in North Georgia mountains, firm says

Hosch, 67, was last seen on the trail Nov. 11, according to investigators. One of his daughters previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Hosch had talked to someone at the top of the trail.

When he didn’t return from his hike, a large search was launched that included dozens of officers, specialized K-9 units, aerial support including helicopters and drones, and other tracking devices that rely on technology.

By last Friday, about 268 search and rescue professionals had been involved in looking for the man, according to updates posted to his Dallas, Texas’, law firm’s website. Many of his friends and family members have traveled to the area to join the search.

The sheriff’s office on Tuesday referred comment about the search to the county’s Emergency Management Agency. Officials at that agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

County officials said in a Facebook post a few days ago the ground search teams had been scaled back “in favor of specialized K-9 teams.”

A Harvard Law School graduate, Hosch has been married 42 years, has two daughters and recently became a grandfather, according to his law firm. Hosch taught at Southern Methodist University. He is a former Eagle Scout and volunteered with the Scouts organization.

Hosch was last seen wearing khaki pants, a camel-colored sweater and a dark green jacket, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. He is 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds.

Anyone with information on Hosch’s whereabouts should call the Union County Emergency Operations Center at 706-439-6091.

“We will not stop,” the family said. “We will bring him home.”