VERSAILLES LAKE – Indiana Conservation Officers have recovered the body of Carson Hughes, 18, of Osgood from Versailles Lake.
At 6:50 p.m., conservation officer divers, utilizing sonar, recovered Hughes in six feet of water.
Hughes was pronounced dead on scene by the Ripley County Coroner, and an exact cause of death is pending autopsy results.
Family notification has been made.
According to Ripley County Indiana EMA, over 150 volunteers joined that search at Versailles State Park on Saturday.
“There were things located that would suggest he was doing what he loved to do most days, which was photographing wildlife and being outdoors,” Officer Josh Thomas said.
Carson worked on photography projects for Indiana Thermal Recovery.
At 1:30 p.m. Friday, Ripley County dispatch received a report Hughes was missing at Versailles Lake within Versailles State Park. Hughes has family in Lawrence County.
His vehicle was found unlocked, with the keys still inside, near the boat ramp, and his kayak was on the water nearby.
Officials searched on land and water near his vehicle using thermal and side-scan sonar technologies.
Assisting agencies include the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Ripley County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State Police Aviation, Ripley County EMA, Ripley County EMS, Ripley County Health Department, Versailles Fire, Delaware Fire, Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue, Friendship Fire, Batesville Fire, Buckeye Search and Rescue, Ohio Task Force One, Texas EquuSearch, Hamilton County Police Association Dive, and hundreds of civilian volunteers.
