Sept 29, 2020
One of the men reported overdue and missing on the Sampit River in Georgetown has been recovered after two days of continuous searching by vessels and aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard, the S. C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.
The body of Marquis Mickel was found by an SCDNR boat crew at approximately 4:25 p.m. on Monday, less than a quarter mile upstream from the Carroll A. Campbell Boat Landing, where the two missing boaters departed from on Saturday, September 26. Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted with the recovery. Mr. Mickel’s family was notified and his body was transferred to the custody of the Georgetown County Coroner. He was not wearing a life preserver when found.
A USCG vessel continued to search overnight for the second missing man, Kinsley Johnson, and SCDNR crews with side-scanning sonar capable boats rejoined the search at daylight today. Members of the SCDNR Dive Team will assist as needed, and a search by air will resume as soon as weather permits.
"Our officers and those from the other agencies are working as hard as we can and hope to be able to provide a resolution this situation for these men's families," said SCDNR Lt. Angus MacBride, who has been coordinating the agency’s efforts with USCG and the Sheriff’s Office since Sunday evening.
Media Contact:
David Lucas
643-610-0096
LucasG@dnr.sc.gov