Search begins for missing fisherman

UPDATE (10/14/24): Body of missing boater found, TWRA confirms

HARDIN Co., Tenn. — On Saturday October 12th the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency respond to a call about an unoccupied boat floating near mile marker 192 near Crump, on the Tennessee River.

“We received a report of an abandoned boat floating in the river yesterday afternoon…on Saturday afternoon and TWRA came in,” said Sheriff Johnny Alexander, Hardin County Sheriff’s Department.

According to Sheriff Alexander, they found evidence of someone living along the riverside…they spoke with the family that they traced the abandoned boat back to and they had not heard from the fisherman.

“We found where somebody had a camp sight out on the island and there were some articles of clothing and a cellphone,” said Sheriff Johnny Alexander, Hardin County Sheriff’s Department.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource agency is currently investigating this missing boater and they don’t have a comment to provide us at this time. They along with crews like the fire department are assisting in this search.

“We’ll have crews out on the river until we either locate the gentleman or locate a body. The Hardin County Fire Department brought in their boats, so at this time they’re still out searching the water to see if they can find the victim,” said Sheriff Johnny Alexander, Hardin County Sheriff’s Department.

According to an immediate press release from The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, a chair and fishing equipment were discovered along the riverbank believed to belong to the missing fisherman. The search efforts involve the Hardin County Fire Department, The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

This is still an ongoing investigation, and we’ll provide you more details as they become available.