According to Reservoir Police, rescuers believe they have recovered the body of 32-year-old Justin Perkins, of Brandon, Mississippi. The identity is pending positive identification by Rankin County Coroner David Ruth.
Perkins went missing Sunday after reports say one of his children fell off a boat. Perkins went into the water, saving the child, but did not resurface.
Reservoir Police say they responded to a call for service at 12:51 PM Sunday reporting a missing boater. Officers from Reservoir Police, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office along with rescuers from Rankin EOC, Reservoir, Ridgeland and Madison Fire Departments converged on the last known location of Mr. Perkins. The search extended into the night Sunday and Monday nights and was suspended about 2 PM Tuesday due to inclement weather.
Searchers were joined during the week by a group of fishermen with SONAR equipment that assisted the search of a large area. The Mississippi Highway Patrol sent their helicopter on Tuesday and Wednesday for an aerial search perspective. A Search and Rescue Group from Daphne, AL joined the search Wednesday with a very sophisticated SONAR unit that ultimately led to the recovery of Mr. Perkins.
The search resumed Wednesday morning at 8:30 AM and the body was located at approximately 2 PM.
