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Divers recover Lafayette man’s body from Catahoula Lake

Posted at 8:14 PM, Feb 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-10 21:14:09-05

Rapides Sheriff’s deputies say they have recovered the body of a Lafayette man who fell from a boat into Catahoula Lake.

The body of Ryan Reed, 26, was recovered at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, a post by the Sheriff’s Office states. The body was turned over to the Rapides Parish Coronors Office.

“Our sincerest sympathies go out to Ryan’s family and friends in this unfortunate tragedy” said Sheriff William Earl Hilton. “We ask for prayers of comfort for everyone involved in this operation. “

Sheriff Hilton would also like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this search and recovery operation:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Lasalle Parish Sheriff’s Office
Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office
Deville Volunteer Fire Department Pineville Fire Department – SAR
Alexandria Fire Department
Rapides Parish Fire District 2
Acadian Ambulance

At approximately 4:30 pm Saturday, Sheriff’s dispatch received a call from the Lasalle Parish Sheriff’s Office in reference to a report of a possible drowning in Catahoula Lake in the 200 block of Stock Landing Road.

Witnesses say the boat suddenly accelerated and the lone male occupant of the boat was ejected into the water. Several bystanders attempted to locate the man but were unsuccessful.

Patrol deputies along with deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group, Agents with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Deputies with the Lasalle Parish Sheriff’s Office, Firefighters with the Deville Volunteer Fire Department and the Pineville Fire Department Search and Rescue as well as Acadian Ambulance, responded to assist in conducting search and rescue operations.

At approximately 7:30 pm, divers suspended their search operations. Search operations resumed early Sunday, deputies say.