From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – The body of a kayaker who was reported missing last week was discovered by members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team on Sunday, Feb. 5, around 3 p.m.
Richard Douglas Fields (Photo credit: jeffcosheriffal.com)
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was notified on Jan. 30, 2023, of a person who had gone missing that Saturday afternoon, Jan. 28.
“Family members say that 34-year-old Richard Douglas Fields went to Bayview Lake to go kayak fishing on Saturday, but has not been heard from since around 4:00 that afternoon,” Sgt. Joni Money stated on Jan. 30.
After a week of searching, a body was found in Bayview Lake, located at the 200 block of Lakeshore Circle, Adamsville, Alabama, on Sunday afternoon. Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates positively identified the body as that of Richard Douglas Fields, of Birmingham.
“The decedent was found submerged in Bayview Lake by members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, performing a missing persons investigation at the request of the decedent’s family,” Yates said. “The circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
