Authorities identify body as that of missing teen

GAINESVILLE - Hall County authorities Saturday afternoon confirmed that the body found behind the Lake Lanier Club Apartments Friday night is that of a 16-year-old who was last seen Thursday morning.

"The victim has been identified and next of kin has been notified. The victim is 16 year old Hannah Truelove, who was reported missing from that apartment complex," Hall County Sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks said.

Gainesville police initially responded to the report of the body Friday night, but the case was turned over to county authorities early Saturday. The location was between the apartments and Lake Lanier.

"That property is actually in the jurisdiction of Hall County, unincorporated Hall County, so therefore, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Hall County Sheriff's Office," Wilbanks said.

Law enforcement are still keeping tight-lipped about the cause and circumstances surrounding the death, but Wilbanks said it's safe to say it's still being considered suspicious. Detectives worked through the night Friday and into the day Saturday.

"Following up on leads, serving search warrants and things of that nature, just to gather initial investigative information. We're not prepared at this time to release anything regarding the investigational cause of death," Wilbanks said Saturday afternoon.

Gainesville Police had been working the missing person's case related to Truelove. She was last seen Thursday morning in the area of the Lake Lanier Club Apartments, off Dawsonville Highway.

Truelove's body was discovered not far from the apartment that the victim shared with her mother.

Besides interviewing the victim's family and associates, police are also investigating whether the teenager had a stalker. On a Twitter account that appeared to be used by the victim, Truelove made reference on Aug. 12 to having a stalker. She did not elaborate.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.