By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
March 29, 2001
DECATUR A 36-year-old man found dead Wednesday in a private pond apparently drowned after his fishing boat capsized, officials said today.
Newton County Sheriff Jackie Knight said two of his deputies and a Newton County game warden found Bobby Joe Donald in a private pond near Scoggins Road at about 8:15 a.m. Scoggins Road is located off Highway 15 just outside of Decatur, Knight said.
He said a family member called the sheriff's department at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and reported Donald missing. The relative said Donald had gone fishing alone at about 11 a.m. Tuesday and hadn't returned to his home off Pine Bluff Road.
Knight said he preferred not to release the name of the person who owns the pond, but said he does not suspect foul play.
Knight, his deputies and the game warden searched for almost seven hours before finding Donald. Knight said he thinks the county coroner will order an autopsy, which will determine the time and cause of death.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.