Search for missing hunters shifts as cadaver dogs called to help search Mississippi River

Published 12:13 pm Friday, December 18, 2020

Authorities say they’re continuing to search for two missing hunters, two weeks after their boat was found capsized in the Mississippi River, however, as time passes the search appears to be moving more into a recovery phase versus a rescue one.

Four boats will be in the water Friday as part of the effort, Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said.

Searchers also plan to bring two cadaver dogs from Louisiana to assist, WLBT-TV reported.

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The hunters — 16-year-old Gunner Palmer and 21-year-old Zeb Hughes — went missing while scouting duck hunting locations near Palmira Island on Dec. 3. The boat belonging to them was found capsized on Middle Ground Island, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of where they had launched.

Most items from inside their boat have since been recovered, including two life jackets, officials said.

A dog traveling with the hunters that day has also not been found.