Empty boat sparks search for missing 70-year-old later found dead in water, NC cops say
An empty boat sparked a search for a 70-year-old fisherman who was later found dead in a North Carolina reservoir, officials said.
Larry Drake’s body was pulled from the water after an hourslong search for clues. At about 5 p.m. Oct. 25, officers were called to the Rocky Mount Reservoir for a report of an “unoccupied boat that was anchored near a small island.”
Investigators discovered the boat was registered to Drake. Family members said they hadn’t heard from him since he set out on a fishing trip early Oct. 25, the Rocky Mount Police Department said in a news release.
“There are no signs of foul play,” police wrote during their search, adding that a cadaver dog team and other groups of first responders joined the effort to look for Drake.
Then on Oct. 26, police announced that Rocky Mount Fire Department divers found the missing man in the reservoir. Drake was taken out of the water and pronounced dead.
“Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” officers wrote. “The Rocky Mount Police Department is thankful for all the first responders who came together to assist in this search.”
The department in its news release didn’t reveal how Drake died but told McClatchy News in an email that officers are awaiting autopsy results.
Rocky Mount is roughly 60 miles northeast of Raleigh.
This story was originally published October 27, 2023 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Empty boat sparks search for missing 70-year-old later found dead in water, NC cops say."
