RedactedNarrative: On 2/10/16 a witness called and advised there was a boat (V1) circling in the water near the Hwy 10 Bridge on Lake Maumelle with no one on board.  Another witness advised they had actually seen two people in the water but could no longer see them.  Upon arrival this officer noticed V1 in fact circling but could not locate anyone in the water.  V1 was stopped and towed to the nearest shore.  There were no PFD's found floating or in V1; the only items located in V1 was a gas tank, battery and a hand-held GPS unit that was still on and tracking.  Cpl. searched the GPS which showed V1 making evasive and sharp turns all over the lake.  Officers searched for the victims until 22:30 that night and resumed the search on 2/11/16 at 08:00. Both of the victim's families were notified and each confirmed that they had gone to Lake Maumelle to "try out the new boat".  Victim 2's family also advised that he had MS and could not swim.  At approximately 13:30 we located an image with sonar that appeared to be two bodies lying close to each other near the area V1 was found circling.  Pulaski Co. Divers were able to dive and recover both bodies. The bodies were positively identified and sent to the Crime Lab for autopsy and toxicology screens.
  
  There was no evidence on V1 that indicated a collision or that it had struck any object.  The bottom of the lake in that area has a smooth sandy bottom with minimal stumps.  A Snap Chat photo posted by victim 2 earlier on 2/10/16 was given to officers that had a "selfie" picture of victim 2 sitting in the front of V1 and victim 1 operating the boat with the caption - "This guy is going to kill me".  
  
  Again with the evidence from the GPS, the Snap Chat photo and no damage to V1; it is the opinion of this officer at this time (without knowing the toxicology results) that the victim's were operating V1 in a reckless manner that caused both to be ejected and failure of either to wear or have access to PFDs caused their drowning.
  
  However, this report will remain open until results from the Crime Lab are available which could take several weeks or even months.
  
  UPDATE: 4-20-16 - CRIME LAB RESULTS RECEIVED; BOTH DEATHS WERE RULED DROWNINGS AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE BY THE OPERATOR.
  
  
   
  