At 11:14 am on Sunday, the Lawrence County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a body floating in Lake Charles near the Hwy 25 boat ramp. Dispatch notified the Black Rock Volunteer Fire Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dive Team.
Within minutes, the area was secured as members of the Dive Team, Arkansas State Parks Representatives and Black Rock Firemen recovered the body floating next to the fishing pier.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation, the name of the victim has not been released by Sheriff Dotson pending notification of relatives. Once recovered, the body was released to the coroner. According to Sheriff Dotson the cause of death appears to be Heart Attack, natural causes.
Those on scene to assist included Lake Charles State Park Officials, Powhatan State Park Officials, AET Ambulance, Black Rock Fire Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Dive Team Members. The scene was cleared at 12:20 pm.
For more information on the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and Dive Team, visit www.lawrencecountysheriffsoffice.com .
For more information on AET Ambulance of Imboden and Walnut Ridge, visit www.aetambulance.com
Update: According to the Lawrence County Sheriff, the victim was identified as 79 year old Joseph Plunkett of Black Rock. Initial reports indicate a heart attack, no foul play was suspected. According to reports, the victim’s nearest relative was a brother that lives in Tennessee.