Body of missing boater found Monday night

The body of a missing boater was found in Lake Maurepas around 8 p.m. Monday, according to a state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries news release.

A passing boater found the body of Daniel Mitchell, 51, of Springfield, about 2 miles south on Lake Maurepas in Tangipahoa Parish from where his unmanned vessel was found, according to the release. The boater notified officials who then recovered Mitchell’s body.

Search crews from the agency’s Enforcement Division, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard and the Killian Dive Team had been searching for Mitchell since 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Officials responded to a report of an unmanned 18-foot lake skiff circling near the mouth of the Tickfaw River on Lake Maurepas. After boarding the vessel, wildlife and fisheries agents were able to match the boater’s registration to Mitchell, according to the release. A search of the area was immediately started.

Mitchell’s body was transferred to the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office.

Mitchell was not wearing a personal flotation device. It is unknown at this time how Mitchell was ejected from the vessel.