RedactedNarrative: ***Active investigation still ongoing***
  
  At approximately 1500 hrs on 5/13/22, subject observed a vessel just off the beach of emerald isle circling and then hit the beach.  He found the vessel unoccupied and contacted emergency responders.  Emerald isle pd arrived on scene and found the vessel swamped partially in the surf and partially on the beach.  They secured the scene and contacted the uscg and ncwrc.  
  
  Natural light beer cans, 3 opened and 8 unopened were found and collected by an emerald isle pd officer from the scene.  Uscg ran search efforts while lt responded to the scene to begin the incident investigation.  Preliminary reports indicate operator was trolling for fish along the beach and last known contact with him was a text he sent his wife at about 14:45.  Preliminary investigation indicates he somehow fell overboard and subsequently drowned.  At 19:30, his body was found floating in the atlantic ocean near the scene of the incident.  Uscg personnel retrieved the body.  The victim's right wrist was tangled in fishing line which was attached to one of his fishing rods and 2 fishing lures were also found snagged in his shirt.  The body was brought to the uscg station at emerald isle where next of kin was taken, notified, and made official identification.  No visible signs of trauma were evident on the body which is now at carteret general hospital for further examination by the me's office.  Officer will be handling the incident report and any follow up investigation.
  
  
  Since this is an ongoing investigation, if and when further information is received, the report will be updated at that time.
  
  
  *******end of report*************
  