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Missing Woman's Body Found At Cloudland Canyon State Park

Thursday, July 24, 2008 – updated: 6:58 pm EDT July 24, 2008

Authorities said they have found the body of a missing Georgia woman at Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Officials began searching Cloudland Canyon State Park for 46-year-old Judy Payne of Rock Spring, Ga. Tuesday morning.

Authorities found the body of a woman Thursday afternoon. Officials have confirmed that it is Payne.

A ranger patrolling the park Monday night found Judy Payne's vehicle, ran the plates and called her husband, authorities said. Her husband told officials he hadn't seen his wife since early Monday morning as she left for her job in Chattanooga, Tenn. He said he didn't know of any plans she had to visit the state park.

  • SLIDESHOW: Search For Judy Payne

  • Personal belongings had been left in Payne's black Mazda Miata, which showed no evidence of a break-in or other crime.

    The 3,500-acre park atop Lookout Mountain on the Georgia-Tennessee line has miles of trails along steep canyons and bluffs.

    Payne's body was found in a deep gorge, according to officials. Emergency officials said there is no sign of foul play. Payne's body will be taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Atlanta for an autopsy.

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