RedactedNarrative: On 12/22/2015 at 0725 hours, I, Corporal (Cpl.), received a call from Captain (Cpt.), assigning me to the Critical Incident Reconstruction (CIRT) Investigation of a boating incident on the St. Mary's River in Camden County. I arrived on scene at approximately 1000 hours. I met with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rangers and deputies from the Camden County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) for a briefing on the incident. During the briefing, I was told that on 12/21/2015 at 1830 hours, subject reported to Georgia State Patrol (GSP) dispatch that her husband had not returned home from fishing. Subject reported that Victim had left their residence in Kingsland at approximately 0530 hours on 12/21/2015. Subject reported Victim had taken a small boat to go fishing on the custody.
  
  On 12/21/2015, high tide on the Saint Mary’s River occurred at approximately 0523 hours. At approximately 0715 hours, Victim was operating the vessel traveling downriver. Victim was seated in the operator’s seat facing toward the bow of the vessel. Sometime after 0715 hours, Victim was ejected from the vessel while the vessel was in motion. The throttle was found at a three quarters position (see photographic evidence frame 4, 5 and 37). The vessel may have struck an obstacle in the river. I observed scratch marks on the port side of the hull eight inches from the keel (see photographic evidence frame 62). There was a large amount of debris in the river as a result of the above average high tide due to the approaching full moon on 12/25/2015. The emergency cut off switch and cord were found intact and connected, indicating the cord was not attached to Victim (see photographic evidence frame 38 and 39). The stick steer control lever was found pulled back, this would have caused the vessel to circle to the port side (see photographic evidence frame 6 and 36). It is unclear whether the stick steer control was pulled back by Victim prior to being ejected from the vessel or whether this occurred as a result of the vessel operating while not under command. 
  
  After Victim was ejected, the vessel ran circles to the port side until it ran into the marsh and eventually stalled out, either from overheating or lack of gasoline. Approximately thirty yards upriver (West) from where the vessel was found, I observed a partially submerged tree with recent damage that appeared to be cuts from a boat propeller, indicating the vessel had passed through the area. Approximately twenty yards upriver from where the vessel was found, I observed an area of marsh grass that appeared to be pushed down, indicating the vessel had circled through that area as well. It is unclear how long the vessel ran while not under command.
  
  DNR rangers and CCSO deputies continued search efforts for five days. On 12/26/2015 at approximately 0900 hours, Victim's body was recovered by CCSO deputies, approximately five miles downriver from where the vessel was found. Victim was recovered wearing a tan colored jacket. Camden County Deputy Coroner took possession of Victim's body and pronounced the cause of death as a result of accidental drowning. Coroner transferred Victim's body to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Coastal Crime Laboratory for an autopsy. I spoke with GBI medical examiner, Dr. who told me the primary cause of Victim’s death was caused by accidental drowning and there was no indication Victim had been struck by the vessel. The GBI autopsy report is pending at this time. On 1/22/2016, I towed the vessel to Victim’s residence. I met with Subject to return Victim’s personal belongings. 
  
  This report and all associated diagrams are based on information available to me at this time. Results may be modified should new information become available.