Authorities search for missing man in Forsyth

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is searching for a 31-year-old man who has been missing since he left his Tatum Woods home May 2. A subsequent search for the missing man, Michael B. Benson, in Cherokee County turned up a truck he was test driving. In the truck were his clothes and wallet.

Foul play is suspected in the disappearance, said Karleen Chalker, a spokeswoman with the Sheriff's Office. As such, authorities are asking anyone who might have seen Benson, in north Forsyth or Cherokee County May 2 or 3 for help.

"We need any information we can get," she said. "We need to know if anyone saw any suspicious activity."

Sheriff Ted Paxton said Benson left his home on Country Walk Court around 8 a.m. May 2 in a 2000 Black Toyota Tundra truck that he was test-driving. Also in the truck was its owner, whom authorities said is currently being questioned.

After leaving his home, Benson spoke to several people, including his father and employees, by phone and was scheduled to arrive at a job site in Cherokee County later that morning. Benson never arrived, Sheriff Paxton said.

Benson's fiancee reported him missing to Forsyth County authorities the next morning. On Saturday afternoon, the truck Benson had been driving was found in a remote area off of Hog Farm Circle in Cherokee County. According to a report of the incident, Benson's clothes and wallet were found in the truck.

Chalker would not comment on whether the clothes had any blood or other physical evidence on them.

Areas surrounding Hog Farm Circle in Cherokee County have been searched using canines, but no further trace of Benson has been found. The Forsyth and Cherokee County Sheriff's Offices are working in conjunction to locate Benson.

According to the incident report, Benson suffers from epilepsy brought on by stress. His father said he has not had problems with it recently, though.

Anyone who may have any information regarding the disappearance of Benson should contact the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 770-781-2200 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 770-888-7308, where your call may remain confidential.
- www.NorthFulton.com

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