ST. FRANCISVILLE —- WFPSO Deputies and Wildlife and Fisheries Agents recovered a body Thursday around 3pm that is believed to be the missing boater from a boat crash that happened Sunday night.
On June 1st, a volunteer search party found the body near Fancy Point Towhead, an island in the Mississippi River at the southern tip of West Feliciana Parish. The location is approximately 14 miles downriver from where the boat crashed on Sunday.
The deceased was turned over to the West Feliciana Coroner’s Office.
“We’re extremely grateful to all the agencies, groups and volunteers who assisted in helping bring closure to the family” said Sheriff Brian Spillman. “We continue to keep them in our prayers and hope that this recovery can give them some peace that Rachal can now be returned to them.”
After searching for 20 hours in the Mississippi River in West Feliciana Parish for the missing boater, the search went from a rescue mission to a recovery. It was called off Monday evening and resumed Tuesday morning.
The missing boater has been identified as Rachel Hann, 38, of St. Francisville.
Officials say it was around 9pm on Sunday, May 28 when the Coast Guard notified the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office of a boat crash. The crash was downstream from the St. Francisville riverfront.
A passing tow boat noticed the wreck and called it in.
WFPSO Sheriff Spillman said the boat operator, Anthony Bain, 37, of St. Francisville, remains hospitalized with injuries he sustained in the crash. He was airlifted to a hospital.
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Always, ALWAYS wear a PFD when on the water.