RedactedNarrative: On 2 October 2018, at approximately 1300hrs, it was reported to Wildlife Enforcement Officer that there was a possible drowning/boating incident at Lake Townsend in Guilford County, NC.   Wildlife Enforcement Officers responded to the incident at that time from Butner in Granville County, NC.  Officers arrived at the Lake Townsend Marina at approximately 1445hrs to assist with the recovery and investigation.  On scene were Greensboro Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol Aviation and various local and surrounding county fire/EMS departments.  Through interviews the following sequence of events were compiled. 
  
  That morning Operator was operating his boat on Lake Townsend alone and was catfish fishing/noodling.  He met his fellow fisherman, who was operating his own boat sometime that morning and talked about fishing and meeting up at some point later.  Subject stated that Operator had almost fallen out of his vessel earlier while seated in the seat located on the starboard side, catching himself on the motor with his foot.  Subject also indicated that Operator did not have a life jacket on when he last saw him.  Subject stated he went to another area of the lake to fish and when Operator did not come he went looking for him.  Subject stated that he went to the marina and did not locate Operator there. 
  
  While Subject was looking for Operator, another person was walking on the Blue Herron trail that runs adjacent to the lake.  Subject2 called Guilford County 911 at approximately 11:50hrs stating that he “CAN SEE A FISHING BOAT DRIFTING” and “CAN SEE SUBJ TRYING TO TREAD WATER BUT DON'T THINK HE CAN SWIM.” Goodman later stated to 911 that he “CAN NO LONGER SEE SUBJ ABOVE WATER” and then reported not being able to see Operator anymore.
  
  At the same time Subject2 was on the phone with 911 an additional call came in from Subject3, indicating that they “HEARD SOMEONE YELLING HELP.”  She stated that her husband searched the woods around her home but did not find anything.  
  
  Upon arrival at Lake Townsend Marina, Officer went with fire rescue and they showed him where Operator boat had been located (36.1650/-79.7763), where the incident had occurred (36.1668/-79.7803) and where the seat, shoes and hat were located. The air temperature was approximately 80-degree Fahrenheit, water temperature was approximately 77-degrees Fahrenheit, water depth an average of 5 feet and the winds were light. Officer looked at the vessel that was already trailered and observed the following: -engine switch was in the “run” position -start chord was pulled out and locked (later was told that fire/ems attempted to start vessel and then towed it to marina), throttle was in the “neutral” position, -vessel had 1 type IV PFD, 1 adult PFD and charged fire extinguisher in console on port side of vessel, seat mount pole on starboard side of vessel was broken Greensboro Police Department Detective L.D. was completing a missing person's report and had already completed death notification to the Operator family prior to our arrival. 
  
  Based on interviews, witness accounts and examination of the vessel it is my belief that the seat on the rear starboard portion of the vessel broke contributing to Operator falling overboard.  Subject stated that the last time he saw Operator, he was not wearing a life jacket. On 4 Oct 18, the victim's body was recovered by fire/rescue personnel. 
  
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