Authorities recover body of Georgia man near Goose Pond Resort on Lake Guntersville
JACKSON CO., Ala. (WAFF) - Authorities recovered the body of the missing duck hunter from Georgia near Goose Pond Colony on Monday.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said 22-year-old Brooks Hardie was recovered near the Goose Pond Resort on Lake Guntersville around 3:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18.
The incident happened around 8 a.m. on Saturday after Hardie was duck hunting on Lake Guntersville near Goose Pond Colony when a kayak capsized, causing him to go beneath the water and never resurface.
According to the Bremen City Schools District, Hardie was a 2021 graduate of Bremen High School.
Hardie was also a former student-athlete at Snead State Community College. The school said he graduated this past spring after playing baseball for two seasons.
The school made the following statement:
Snead State Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Casey Underwood issued the following statement:
“On Saturday morning, we lost a former Parson in Brooks Hardie. But he was much more than a student and baseball player at Snead State Community College. He was truly a friend and brother to his teammates and had a servant’s heart.
“On the field, Brooks was one of the toughest kids I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach. He possessed a hard-nosed, never-quit mentality that influenced the entire team. His grit and determination were on full display when he played with a torn hamstring through most of the 2023 season. He was the consummate leader, always encouraging his teammates and pushing to be better every day.
“This past season in a May 4 doubleheader, Brooks played one of his best games as a Parson, finishing the day batting 5-of-7 with 3 homeruns and 6 RBIs. Watching him play that day with so much joy and excitement went on to spark a nice postseason run for us. It was one of those performances you don’t forget.
“Off the field, we grew really close. Similarities we shared helped us develop a connection, and those things often led to many conversations about life outside of baseball. Through those talks, I realized what a special young man he was.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division, the Scottsboro/Jackson County Rescue Squad, Rosalee Rescue Squad, Guntersville Fire Department, Crane Hill Fire and Rescue along with the Logan Fire and Rescue all assisted in the recovery.
The North Alabama Search Dog Association also provided cadaver K-9s in the search efforts.
Eddie Tigue with the Scottsboro Jackson Rescue Squad said the most difficult part of trying to find the body is maneuvering through grass on the lake.
“You know I’m not the family so I don’t know what’s their toughest thing,” Tigue said. “But we understand that it’s a waiting game for them and we’d like to bring that to a conclusion as [quickly] as possible.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!
Copyright 2023 WAFF. All rights reserved.
