Craighead County officers found the body Monday morning of a 34-year-old Leachville man who disappeared on the St. Francis River early Saturday.
Searchers found Erick Perez about a quarter of a mile from the johnboat that he and two others had used around midnight before it capsized, Craighead County Chief Deputy Sheriff J.R. Thomas said. Perez was found tangled in the brush on the river, and the boat was lodged underwater.
At about midnight Friday, Perez and two others went fishing on the river near Jackson Landing about 17 miles northeast of Jonesboro, Thomas said.
The boat capsized and the three men swam to shore, he said, but they were unable to climb out of the water onto land. The men grabbed branches and other things to keep them afloat and moved along the river while yelling at one another to maintain contact.
Thomas said water was flowing rapidly in the St. Francis River after storms. The National Weather Service indicated that the St. Francis River in Craighead County had elevated during the weekend and was well above floodstage north of Craighead County.
After about a half-hour, Thomas said, Perez's friends did not hear him anymore. After about two hours, the friends reached land and found their truck, where they waited for Perez. When he didn't arrive, they reported him missing.
Authorities searched during the weekend and found Perez about 8:30 a.m. Monday, Thomas said.
Metro on 08/23/2016