On November 23, 2023 at approximately 5:35 P.M., (17' Havoc, powered by a 115 HP Mercury) was seen unoccupied doing circles south of Lake Arthur in Mermentau River in Cameron Parish.  Cameron Parish Sheriff's Office and Agents responded.  V1 spun in circles for over an hour, striking a stationary barge, debris and rocks.  CPSO was able to push the vessel a ground and pull the kill switch to stop the vessel.  No body was found in or near V1.

The family was contacted and they advised he was out hunting utilizing that boat.  During the investigation, we were able to obtain video footage from a nearby business (B & J Corporation) showing V1 operating with navigation lights at approximately 5:35 PM after sunset on Mermentau River.  The vessel was headed northeast on Mermentau River and appeared to have maneuvered extremely hard to starboard side near the bank.  After this abrupt maneuver, the vessel then circled for over an hour until Deputy was able to stop it.  

LDWF, Cameron Parish Sheriff's Office, Welsh PD and Calcasieu Parish Sherriff's office initiated a search.  On 12/05/2023 Operator's deceased body was found floating against the bank at 11:25 AM by a civilian.

Based on the evidence, Operator was operating at a high rate of speed after sunset near the north side of the bank of the Mermentau river  (not to the respective right), when he maneuvered abruptly to starboard side in an attempt to change his direction of travel.  Operator's maneuver at this high rate of speed and force, caused him to be ejected into the water.  Operator was not wearing his PFD and or kill-switch lanyard.  Coroner classified  Operator's cause of death as a drowning.

Mermentau River
Lake Arthur                   