Authorities in Georgia are suspending the search for SMU law professor Charles Hush, who disappeared November 11 while hiking near Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
The decision comes after two weeks of intensive ground, air, and canine searches failed to uncover any new signs of the 46-year-old professor.
Hush was last seen beginning a solo hike in the popular North Georgia mountains, an area known for steep terrain, fast-changing weather, and heavy foot traffic from Appalachian Trail visitors. When he did not return as planned, officials launched a large-scale search effort involving local deputies, park rangers, search-and-rescue crews, and volunteer teams from across the region.
The operation covered miles of rugged forest, ridgelines, and creek beds around Blood Mountain, one of the most challenging sections of the Appalachian Trail. Despite coordinated sweeps and repeated attempts to retrace his expected route, search teams found no meaningful clues to his whereabouts.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office said the case remains open, and investigators will continue reviewing information as it comes in. Hush, an associate professor at SMU’s Dedman School of Law, had been in Georgia on personal travel at the time of his disappearance.
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