SABINE COUNTY, Texas (KTRE/Gray News) – The body of a college student who went missing on Toledo Bend Reservoir has been recovered.
According to the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office, Peyton Hughes, 21, a student enrolled at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, had been pre-fishing on Wednesday for a Bassmaster Kayak Series event set to take place this weekend.
However, the Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society said Hughes never returned to the launch point, the designated meeting place, on Wednesday night.
Game wardens and law enforcement agencies from both Texas and Louisiana began searching for Hughes after his fishing coach reported him missing, according to the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office. His kayak was found that day, banked on an island east of the Alpine Marina boat launch, in an area known as Alligator Cove.
The search was suspended after midnight Wednesday, picked up before sunrise Thursday, and paused again after dark before his body was discovered around 7:30 a.m. Friday, near an island 200 yards north of where his kayak was discovered, the sheriff’s office said.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens all assisted in the recovery of Hughes’ body.
An autopsy has been ordered.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Peyton’s family, friends, teammates and fellow students at Campbellsville University during this difficult time,” the wildlife department shared.
The sheriff’s office also addressed those affected by Hughes’ death.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Hughes, as well as to his teammates, coaching staff, students and the faculty of Campbellsville University, during this difficult time.”
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