Sheriff Jody Dotson and Lawrence County Investigators believe that a body recovered Monday evening is that of missing Steven Hooks of Trumann, formerly of Jonesboro.
After recovering an abandoned vehicle belonging to Steven Hooks on Friday, investigators and deputies have been following up on tips and reports from the area in an effort to find the missing man.
In a late developing lead, a property owner found a pair of boots and a wallet belonging to Steven Hooks about a 1/4 mile from the location of the vehicle. Sheriff Dotson requested that a deputy take an ATV and go over the area and the surrounding farm ditches that lead to Village Creek.
Shortly before 5 pm, a Lawrence County Deputy discovered a body floating in a large farm ditch about 1 mile from the vehicle location just of Lawrence 739. The Sheriff was notified and called for the Lawrence County Dive Team to recover the body.
The body was recovered and turned over to the Lawrence County Coroner, it will now be sent to the State Medical Examiners Office for autopsy. According to Investigators there were no obvious signs of trauma. The Trumann Police Department was notified of the discovery, family of the missing man was then notified.
For information on the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, visit www.lawrencecountysheriffsoffice.com .