RedactedNarrative: On Thursday, 6/28/2018, Operator purchased a 1981 17-foot ProCraft bass boat for $1800.  No bill of sale was acquired during this exchange.  The boat is still currently registered in previous owner’s name.   However, the title was given to the new owner upon purchase.
  On Friday, 6/29/2018, Operator and his nephew left out on a fishing trip to Lake Norman around 8:00pm.  They advised family members that they would return home around midnight.
  On Saturday, 6/30/2018,  Operator’s spouse contacted a family friend after she awoke to discover that her husband had not returned home.  Deputy and brother-in-law to operator went out looking for them.  They arrived at McCrary Creek boating access area on Hwy 150 at Lake Norman and discovered the SUV and boat trailer in the parking lot.  They then reported the men missing to the Iredell County Communication Center.
  I (Sgt. -NC Wildlife Officer) received the report at approximately 7:45am on Saturday, 6/30/2018 and responded by patrol boat around 1 hour later.  Several Iredell County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) deputies were also present.  The vessel was approximately 30 yards from the shoreline, mostly submerged (other than the tip of the bow), and upside-down.  It was noted that the bilge pump was actively running.  One of the deputies had recovered a white Reebok shoe with light blue trim floating in the water.  The exact location that this shoe was found was not recorded.  However, it was stated that it was in fairly close proximity to the vessel.   
  A quick hasty search was conducted around the area and a red ball cap was located on the shoreline in the rocks approximately 75 yards southwest of the vessel.  Fire/Rescue boats from multiple agencies began running specialized water scanning equipment in an attempt to locate the victims under the surface.  Divers from the Charlotte Fire Department Dive Team checked under the vessel and investigated points of interest associated with the specialized equipment being utilized. The search continued until approximately 8:00pm.  The large scale search was called off by incident command due to the size of the search area and there searching resources being depleted.  Not knowing exactly where the incident initially took place, the timing of it and the light winds over night made it extremely difficult to limit the search area where the specialized equipment would be effective.
  
  The boat was recovered by Tow Boat USA and taken to their storage area.  Upon inspection of the vessel, it was noted that the entire transom had been repaired or patched numerous times.  While looking in the rear compartments, it was noted that it was dry-rotted.  The fiberglass had broken away in multiple areas and the foam floatation and plywood were exposed.  The foam floatation had dry rotted as well as was the plywood framing.  No other visible damage was noted on the vessel and it was determined that the transom was dry rotted and soaked up the water like a sponge, increasing the weight and eventually sinking the boat.  The throttle was in the neutral position.
  
  The following morning on Sunday, 7/1/2018, Lt. and I continued to search the cove and initial search area.  We located the second shoe of V2 approximately 90 yards west of where the boat was originally found.  Later that evening at approximately 6:00pm Officers continued patrolling the search area.  The occupants of a residence just east of the cove waved them down and pointed them to the body of occupant which had surfaced approximately 30 yards east of where the boat was located.  The body was removed and transported to Davis Hospital in Statesville at the Medical Examiners request.
  
  At approximately 11:00pm that same evening, Iredell County Deputies were patrolling the area.  They discovered the body of operator which had surfaced approximately 75 yards southwest of where the boat was located.  The body was removed and transported to Davis Hospital as well.
  
  PLEASE NOTE:  IT IS UNKNOWN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE DECEASED USED ANY PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES.
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