Walnut Shade man drowns trying to retrieve dog

TANEY COUNTY, Mo. — A man from Walnut Shade has drowned in Bull Creek.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), 76-year-old Paul Moriuchi died after wading into the water about a mile west of Walnut Shade to retrieve his dog.

Moriuchi owned Party Magic, a party supply store in Branson, for many years. Cookie Payne owns Gourmet Bouquet next door, and says Moriuchi was always looking out for others.

“You know, he was very kind, but he was very quiet,” Payne said. “He was always behind the scenes doing whatever it took for all the businesses here to make sure things were going okay.”

The Western Taney County Fire Protection District was called in to help search for Moriuchi on April 11, and said high waters made the search difficult.

Moriuchi’s daughter and sister-in-law are running Party Magic, which is closed today.

This is MSHP Troop D’s first drowning for 2024.

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