Maritime Accident News

Apparent Drowning Death of Lafayette Man

The owner of Champion Real Estate, Glen M. Richard, was found by divers from Natchitoches and Shreveport just 24 hours of being reported as missing.  Richard, a 45-year-old man, appears to have drowned on Toledo Bend Reservoir.

Richard had a second home on Toledo Bend’s shores south of Cypress Bend Resort.  According to Sabine Parish Deputy Coroner Ron Rivers, Richard had been fishing all evening with buddies who came with him from Lafayette on Thursday, May 7, 2009.  It appears that Richard drowned after he came back alone at mid-morning Friday to a barge that was tied approximately 100 feet off shore from his home.

Rivers speculates that Richard may have been attempting to regain control of the boat he had used to get to the barge.  He had already unloaded his fishing tackle and shiners, but his personal belongings were thrown on the platform, which made it look like he may have been emptying out his pockets before he jumped in to get his boat.

Neighbors started to think that something was wrong when they found Richard’s empty boat that had drifted.

Richard had no health problems and was considered to be an avid swimmer.  Rivers said that his body did not show any signs of trauma.

The investigation was expected to be completed by Monday, May 11, 2009.  A toxicology report was also supposed to be done.

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