Overview
- Authorities identified the victim as Christopher Hendricks, 30, of Champlin, Minnesota, who went under while waterfowl hunting in the Eszlinger Waterfowl Production Area in McIntosh County.
- After a retriever became stuck about 100 yards from shore, Hendricks swam out and freed the dog, then showed signs of distress as he and his friend Maxwell DiVenere tried to return.
- DiVenere reached shore with the dog and called for help, and he later received treatment for exhaustion and exposure at Ashley Medical Center.
- The search began Wednesday, Nov. 12, continued into the night, and resumed the next morning with a drone team before Hendricks’ body was recovered just before 2 p.m., roughly 40–50 yards from shore.
- The McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office reported no suspicion of foul play, and Sheriff Steve Delzer credited local, county, and federal teams, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ashley Fire and Rescue, for the coordinated recovery.