(Updated) Missing boater Dustin New’s body recovered from Smith Lake

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Dustin New (Bring Dustin Home/Facebook)

Updated 8-29-20 11:12 p.m.

Statement from Lt. Chad Pate with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division:
 
The body of the missing boater Dustin New from Fultondale was recovered tonight, Saturday, August 29.  Dustin New went missing on July 16 while boating in the Cullman County area of Smith Lake.  Divers recovered him from about 90 feet of water.  He was recovered in the area where the accident was thought to have occurred. 
 
SE Louisiana Underwater Recovery, Logan VFD, Cullman Co. S.O. Dive Team, and ALEA Marine Patrol assisted with today’s recovery. 

Updated 8-29-20 at 10:43 p.m.

Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick has officially identified the body found in Smith Lake Saturday as that of Dustin New, 26, of Fultondale. New’s body was recovered from the water by divers Saturday night.


CRANE HILL, Ala. – There is a heavy law enforcement and first responder presence on Smith Lake, where a body has reportedly been found. Authorities and responders are in the area of the lake where missing boater Dustin New, 26, of Fultondale was last seen Thursday, July 16, 2020.

Lt. Chad Pate with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division, who is leading the investigation, has not yet commented.

A boat New was aboard was found capsized near Trident Marina Thursday afternoon, July 16 at approximately 1:45 p.m.

Maurice Reynolds with the Logan Volunteer Fire Department described the capsized vessel as a “work-type pontoon boat,” and said, “It wasn’t that far off the bank where the boat flipped, probably 30 yards, 40 yards at the most.”

Logan Fire & Rescue, Crane Hill Fire & Rescue, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Houston County Search & Rescue, Christian Aid Ministries Search & Rescue, Elite Detection K-9, ALEA Aviation and ALEA Marine Patrol have all participated in search efforts since July.

This is a developing story.

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Wendy Sack

wendy@cullmantribune.com