Recovery of Drowning Victim

On the afternoon of August 4th, the body of a 40-year-old man was recovered from the Tallapoosa River within the park following an extensive ground, aerial and water search. Family and friends had reported the man missing the previous afternoon. A joint interagency search was begun by the Tallapoosa Sheriff's Office, New Site Police Department, Alabama DPS aviation unit and NPS. The initial focus was on the area surrounding the park's boat ramp. The search was suspended at dark, then resumed at 6 a.m. the next day. Efforts to search the river were hampered by high water levels due to hydroelectric generation. The body was recovered by members of the Peckerwood Rescue Squad. Indications are that the death was a probable suicide.