Missing Boater Recovered in Calhoun County

CALHOUN COUNTY – A single-vessel marine-related event occurred on Monday, Sept. 7, and resulted in a missing boater. Dedric L. Brown, 54, of Eastaboga, was last seen at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, operating an aluminum jon boat on Hillabee Reservoir in Calhoun County. At approximately 12 p.m. Brown was reported as missing and a multitude of agencies responded to the area and began search and rescue operations.

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, at approximately 2:10 p.m. a group from the Christian Aid Ministries located Brown’s body approximately 26 ft below the water’s surface within the initial search area in the Hillabee Reservoir.

Immediately a dive team began recovery operations and Brown’s body was recovered at approximately 2:38 p.m.

The following agencies responded to the scene and assisted with search and recovery operations: the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Pell City Police Department/Dive Team, Clay County Rescue Squad, Cane Creek Fire Department, Oxford Police Department, Randolph County Rescue Squad, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office/Rescue Squad, Christian Aid Ministries, Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Alabama EMA along with Troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division.

Nothing further is available as ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers continue to investigate.