RedactedNarrative: This investigation is based on statements given and evidence which was gathered.  On 4/11/2019 at 8:05 pm,  I was contacted by Jacksonville Trooper Post about a missing boater in Greensport (Beaver Creek) on Neely Henry Lake.  I was given the name of the person who called in the complaint.  
  
       Subject1 stated that there was a boat out in the Greensport Slough (Beaver Creek) and it was unoccupied.  Deputy arrived to speak with Subject1 and also confirmed the boat appeared to be empty.  Dep. got a boat ride out to the unoccupied boat and tied it to the southern shoreline of Beaver Creek.  I spoke with Dep. on the phone and was given all this information from him. I notified Lt. and Sgt. of the missing boater and got enroute to the scene.  While on my way to the State Patrol vessel I had ALEA aviation activated and enroute for a FLIR search. 
  
       I arrived in the area of Canoe Creek and started shoreline search at approximately 10:30 pm.  I surfaced/shoreline searched from Canoe Creek to Beaver Creek.  I then went to the scene where the unoccupied vessel was tied up.  The following are agencies which were onscene also searching.  They are Rainbow City Fire/Rescue, St. Clair Co Sheriff''s, Etowah Co Sheriff''s, Riverside Rescue, and  Alea Marine Patrol/Aviation.
  
       I went to the unoccupied vessel and conducted an soft inspection.  I discovered a clean and well kept vessel.  St. Clair Dispatch spoke with Victim''s wife.  She confirmed he was on Neely Henry Lake on a fishing trip.  She also stated he was alone fishing and staying at the Gadsden Motor Inn.   In the center deck compartment I found a bottle of Wild Turkey liquor.  I also found 3 unopened beers.  I also found a plastic flask which was empty.  It also did have the remains of Wild Turkey liquor.  I had St. Clair Deputies move the vessel from the southern shoreline to Greensport Marina.
  
       We continued the aerial search until the Helicopter had to leave due to low fuel.  We also continued the surface and sonar searches.  St. Clair Co Sheriff''s remained on station all night.  At 8:00 am on 4/12/2019 the recovery crews meet up at Greensport Marina and restarted the recovery operations.  At. 10:30 am Rainbow City Fire/Rescue recovered Victim from the river bottom.  Victim was placed in a body bag and transported to the northern shoreline and handed over to the St. Clair Co. Coroner Office.  
  
       The details of the accident are not very precise due to no witnesses.  It is believed that Victim fell off his vessel for an unknown reason.  Victim then was unable to recover from this fall and subsequently appears to have drowned.  The State Forensic Lab will conduct an autopsy and also do a Toxicology Analysis on Victim.  The results of that medical examination will be available at a later date.
  