Missing kayaker found dead
REELSVILLE -- A missing Putnam County kayaker has been found dead, more than two weeks after he initially went missing.
Putnam County Sheriff's Department chief deputy Doug Nally said the body of David Pritchett, 48, was found in the Reelsville area. Nally said that Department of Natural Resources conservation officers found the body while they searched using boats.
"They located him right along the banks, still partially submerged in the water," said Nally.
Reelsville fire chief John McPherson said the body was found not far from the bridge that had previously been used as a search staging area.
"Conservation officers were on the water and located the body right around 11 a.m. (Thursday). It was about 200 yards west of CR 625 S (on Big Walnut Creek)," McPherson said. "The body was found in probably about five feet of water but it was visible from the river.
"The body was intact, so we were able to make a positive I.D. right then and there," he said.
McPherson said the body was taken to Terre Haute Regional Hospital where an autopsy was scheduled at 8 a.m. today.
Pritchett originally launched his kayak April 19 at 6:30 p.m. between two large rainstorms. His family reported him missing around 10 p.m. and the search began that night. McPherson said Pritchett's kayak was not found.
"We haven't found the kayak, the hip waders he was in... or his paddle, nothing," McPherson said.
The search for Pritchett was frequently hampered by bad weather.
"It just seemed like every time we'd get ready to do a search, it would rain so much it would flood out or there would be a flash flood or something," McPherson said.