From Tribune staff reports
JACKSON COUNTY – A marine-related event occurred at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, while an individual was duck hunting, according to Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
“While duck hunting the individual’s kayak capsized causing the individual to go beneath the water and never resurface,” Burkett said. “The incident occurred on Lake Guntersville near Goose Pond Resort in Jackson County.”
Burkett identified the missing hunter as Brooks Hardie, 22, of Georgia.
Monday morning, Burkett said Hardie’s body had been located and recovered near the Goose Pond Resort on Lake Guntersville at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Troopers with the ALEA Marine Patrol Division, ALEA’s Aviation Unit, Officers with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) along with the Scottsboro and Jackson County Rescue Squads immediately launched a search for the missing hunter.
The North Alabama Search Dog Association had provided cadaver K-9s and joined the search.
Hardie was a popular athlete who attended Bremen High School in Georgia and played baseball for Snead State Community College in Alabama. He was loved by his family, friends and teammates who are mourning his loss. Many reacted on social media.
My heart hurts,
Your family is hurting,
Your teammates, classmates, friends, coaches, and teachers are hurting.
We All hurt right now, but we appreciate you Brooks Hardie because you made us all better. The world is a better place because you were in it. We love you Brooks. pic.twitter.com/Z7Kql3xd7k— Bremen Football (@GATABHSdevils) December 18, 2023
My heart hurts,
Your family is hurting,
Your teammates, classmates, friends, coaches, and teachers are hurting.
We All hurt right now, but we appreciate you Brooks Hardie because you made us all better. The world is a better place because you were in it. We love you Brooks. pic.twitter.com/Z7Kql3xd7k— Bremen Football (@GATABHSdevils) December 18, 2023
Such a great person! Going to miss that smile brooks always had on! Great ball player but an even better person! Praying for his family!
— Ty Mauldin (@TylerMauldin6) December 18, 2023
Snead State Community College faculty and staff are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident that took place Saturday morning in Scottsboro involving former student-athlete Brooks Hardie.
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— Snead State (@sneadstatecc) December 18, 2023