Authorities have been searching for the body of Thomas Hedrick, 31, Fort Riley, who drowned Christmas Eve while duck hunting at Milford Lake.

Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf confirmed that at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 1) the victim’s body was located in the Lake on the southwest side of the Reservoir.  ”Over in the Charley’s Point area right there where we figured where he would be.”

Wolf noted on Tuesday evening during the search, side scan sonar hit an anomaly, prompting authorities to want to look again. They couldn’t do it then due to the pending freeze, but were able to return New Year’s morning.  A Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism airboat was able to break the ice and boats were brought in, and Drag lines utilized to recover the body.

“This has been a very tough search on all that have been involved, none more than the family, “said Wolf. “But everybody that has been involved in this from the beginning, this is one of those that you’ll never forget,” he said.

Wolf also indicated an autopsy will be done, which is considered normal procedure.

Ten people participated in the search on Wednesday, but over the past week over 100 people participated in the effort.