There will probably be autopsies to determine the causes of deaths. They could be from the blunt force type injuries or drowning.

All the bodies have been recovered except for my aunt Mary. My mom and the rest of my family are just hoping to find her soon for closure. We need to give her a proper burial. I read the article that stated divers did not go down today because of weather. I don't know how much longer they plan to search but with currents we are wondering if she is even around that area still. We just need to know. At least the other families can lay their loved ones to rest. We are just left in the air of not having any answer as to where my aunt is.

Crissycis that is awful ,they need to keep looking until she is found .They need to look everyday. I cant beleive they would even slow down until she is found . Prayers are with you and your family .

Mr. Peters funeral was today at 4pm.

Crissycis, Please know we are praying for you and your family. I had a friend on the boat and I can't imagine not knowing where your loved one is. I am so sorry. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO YOU.

Does anyone have a good phone contact number for the volunteer searchers to use to get in touch with the search officials on scene? I plan on launching my boat this morning to help in the search. Thank you.......

They raised the lake level over the weekend, meaning that the flow of the water would push a body toward the West. The wind has been coming out of the North which would mean anything floating should gravitate toward the Southern Side and in a Westernly direction.
Chances are she was on the top side of the vessel with the Captain. The best place to start is where his body was found, for it appears the barge carried his body for a distance...there is a chance the same thing happen with her.
She would settle to the bottom, then as the body chemistry changes would come to the top. There is a good possibility she will be found today if on the surface...
If I was searching here is the logic to follow...

When you get on the water...realize they just raised the lake level, over the weekend. Then lowered, then raised. This in turn flushes the banks of the lake for debris...There will be a lot of debris...watch the direction of the debris fields...follow that direction...
There will be a lot of debris field in the coves, especially on the back end of the coves...look very closely around these fields and get to the point where you can see down in the water over looking these logs and other water floatage...
Its just a matter of time until she is found, but each minute is tough on a family looking for a love one...

quote:

Originally posted by Cherokee_Indian2:
Does anyone have a good phone contact number for the volunteer searchers to use to get in touch with the search officials on scene? I plan on launching my boat this morning to help in the search. Thank you.......

That is a noble deed Cherokee. I would follow Trader’s advice. I wish my boat was small enough to search the shoreline and it is on Pickwick Lake. I have been trying to think of a boat someone has to do what you are going to do. Be careful.

Traderconnections, I can tell that you are very experienced in your knowledge of the river from your previous posts and the one above too and I thank you for your advice for my search. I just returned from the TVA boat launch area on the Muscle Shoals side of the dam and there is search activity already going on. Just wanted to make sure that I was able to launch at the site before I hooked up the boat and towed it there. I'm headed out now. Signed, a 30 year retired Coast Guardsman.

quote:

Originally posted by Cherokee_Indian2:
Traderconnections, I can tell that you are very experienced in your knowledge of the river from your previous posts and the one above too and I thank you for your advice for my search. I just returned from the TVA boat launch area on the Muscle Shoals side of the dam and there is search activity already going on. Just wanted to make sure that I was able to launch at the site before I hooked up the boat and towed it there. I'm headed out now. Signed, a 30 year retired Coast Guardsman.

Good luck and stay safe , I hope they find her today .

To the person who asked if that was Timmy Ray Peters, you may have already heard but that was, in fact him. His funeral, as well as that of my husband Butch's was yesterday. Our family is praying that Mary's body will be recovered today, so they too, can begin to heal from this tragedy.

Just got back to the house from my search of the river for Mrs. Mary. Search conditions were minimal for most of the day due to high wind driven waves, occasional light rain, and overcast skies. The water surface temp on the river is between 58 and 59 degrees. I observed at least 4 and possibly 5 active search and rescue boats and 2 of the rescue boats had bloodhounds with handlers on them. I am sorry that we were not able to find her today and my prayers go out to her family and friends.

quote:

Originally posted by Cherokee_Indian2:
Just got back to the house from my search of the river for Mrs. Mary. Search conditions were minimal for most of the day due to high wind driven waves, occasional light rain, and overcast skies. The water surface temp on the river is between 58 and 59 degrees. I observed at least 4 and possibly 5 active search and rescue boats and 2 of the rescue boats had bloodhounds with handlers on them. I am sorry that we were not able to find her today and my prayers go out to her family and friends.

Thank you. God Bless You....

I f anyone has A boat and is willing to search. Mary was my mother in law, Kerry has her family and said that it is O.K. for me to go search if I could find a boater to ride with. Please E-Mail me if you don't care for me going. I would really appreciate it. I am home all day avery day. I just need some help There are some places I would like to look.

kevinpounders@centurytel.net

quote:

Originally posted by kevinpounders:
I f anyone has A boat and is willing to search. Mary was my mother in law, Kerry has her family and said that it is O.K. for me to go search if I could find a boater to ride with. Please E-Mail me if you don't care for me going. I would really appreciate it. I am home all day avery day. I just need some help There are some places I would like to look.

kevinpounders@centurytel.net

Kevin, were you able to go out on the water? I have been thinking of your family and praying every day that they will find Ms. Marys body. I really don't know what else to say; I'm just at a loss for words. I just wanted you all to know that you've not been forgotten.