Search for man believed drowned continues at Smith Mountain Lake

More than a week after his disappearance, crews continue to search for the body of a Richmond man believed to have drowned on Smith Mountain Lake.

“We’re doing shoreline and surface searches,” said Sgt. Brian Young, of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. “We’ll continue to do those daily.”

John Shoop, 74, was last seen Aug. 2 aboard a small sailboat while on vacation with his family. Shoop’s family contacted authorities when they noticed he had disappeared.

Since then, dozens of people have helped to search more than 50 acres of surface area and an inestimable amount underwater, Young said.

He could not say how long it might take to find Shoop.

“It’s not uncommon, depending on water temperature and depth, for this to go on days, weeks, even months.”

Young said the last large scale search for a drowning victim happened in April 2007, when a boat capsized and two of its four occupants drowned. One victim was recovered immediately. The other was found three months later.

— The (Lynchburg)
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