From Tribune staff reports
ETOWAH COUNTY — The body of Roger Dale Whisman was located in the Canoe Creek area on Saturday, according to a joint statement released by the Rainbow City Police Department and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement alerted the public on Friday to a St. Clair County man missing since Monday. Whisman, 45, of Steele, was last seen near the Dollar General in Rainbow City on Monday, Aug. 5, but hasn’t been home since. His family reported him missing on Thursday.
“On August 9th, 2024, at approximately 3:50 p.m., Rainbow City Police Department received information that a man that was reported missing from St. Clair County was potentially last seen in the area of Rainbow Drive and Riddles Bend Road, near the St. Clair County Line,” according to the statement. “The Rainbow City Police Department and Rainbow City Fire Department responded to the area to check the waterway and surrounding areas.”
The Etowah County Dive Team responded to the scene to assist in the search on the waterway. An extensive search was conducted and was paused because of lack of daylight, authorities said.
“This morning, multiple agencies responded to the area to continue the search,” according to the statement. “At 12:49 p.m., agencies assisting in the search notified us that human remains had been located down the river from the initial search location. The human remains were identified as Roger Dale Whisman, of Ashville, AL.”
Local first responders expressed sympathy to family of the victim.
“Our hearts are with Mr. Whisman’s loved ones and the circumstances of his death are still under investigation at this time,” authorities said. “His body is being transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Huntsville for an autopsy.”
The Rainbow City Police Department thanked the agencies that responded for assistance, including St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, Etowah County Dive Team, Pell City Dive Team, Daphne Search and Rescue, Glencoe Fire Department, Southside Fire Department, Gadsden Fire Department, ALEA (SBI, Marine, Air), Gadsden-Etowah County EMA.
