Local News
Body of Missing Boater Dedric Brown Recovered from Hillabee Reservoir in Calhoun County
EASTABOGA, Ala. — A search for a missing Eastaboga boater ended Wednesday when rescuers recovered the body of 54-year-old Dedric L. Brown from Hillabee Reservoir in Calhoun County.
Brown was last seen around 7:30 a.m. Monday, September 7, on an aluminum jon boat on the reservoir. He was reported missing approximately four and a half hours later, around noon.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Chief Jeremy Burkett said multiple agencies immediately began search-and-rescue operations after Brown was reported missing.
The search continued until Wednesday afternoon, when a team with Christian Aid Ministries located Brown’s body at approximately 2:10 p.m.
Authorities said Brown was found approximately 26 feet beneath the surface of Hillabee Reservoir and within the area where the initial search had been concentrated.
Following the discovery, a dive team began recovery operations. Brown’s body was successfully recovered at approximately 2:38 p.m.
Officials have not released a cause of death or explained the circumstances that led to Brown’s disappearance. Those details remain under investigation.
The recovery effort involved numerous law-enforcement, fire, rescue and emergency-management agencies from across the region.
Participating agencies included the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office; Pell City Police Department/Dive Team; Clay County Rescue Squad; Cane Creek Fire Department; Oxford Police Department; Randolph County Rescue Squad; Etowah County Sheriff’s Office/Rescue Squad; Christian Aid Ministries; Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency; Alabama EMA; and ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division.
Authorities thanked the agencies and rescue personnel who participated in the search and recovery operation.
The investigation remains active as officials work to establish the circumstances surrounding Brown’s disappearance and death.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.