Bodies Of Missing Boaters Found On Lake Tarpon
[mappress mapid=”121″]The bodies of the two missing boaters were located near the center of Lake Tarpon. The boaters went missing on Lake Tarpon after launching their boat from the Anderson Park boat ramp.
The boaters went fishing late in the afternoon on Saturday, December 28, 2013. Deputies began to search the area around noon on Sunday, December 29, 2013. The bodies were found on Wednesday, January 1st, 2014 at approximately 3:40 p.m. Various forms of sonar equipment, helicopters, and boats were utilized in the search.
The two boaters went fishing in a 14-foot Jon Boat on Lake Tarpon in the late afternoon hours on Saturday, December 28, 2013. The two were last heard from around 10:00 p.m. Saturday evening.
The boaters have been identified as 43 year-old Willie Ragins and 64 year-old Willie Hightower both of Plant City.
Next of kin has been notified and the medical examiner will complete an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
At this time both boater’s deaths appear accidental and not suspicious in nature.
Deputies are still actively searching for the fishing boat the two men were aboard.
The investigation continues.