Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents are investigating a fatal boating incident in Sabine Parish.
LDWF agents recovered the body of John T. Martin Jr., 64, of Joaquin, Texas, around 8 p.m. on June 10 from the Toledo Bend Reservoir.
Search and rescue teams from LDWF, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office began searching for Martin Jr. on June 9. According to the people that last saw Martin Jr., they said Martin Jr. launched his vessel near Huxley on the Texas side of the reservoir to run his trot lines on the evening of June 8 and he never came back.
Search and rescue teams found Martin Jr.’s capsized 14-foot aluminum vessel on the Louisiana side. His body was located close by the capsized vessel.
LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this fatal boating incident. Martin Jr.’s body was recovered without wearing a personal flotation device. It is unknown at this time what caused Martin Jr. to enter the water or his boat to capsize.