SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — UPDATE (12/18) - Authorities on Monday recovered the body of a 22-year-old man from an Alabama lake where he was last seen duck hunting over the weekend.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Brooks Hardie of Bremen, Georgia, was found dead in the waters of Lake Guntersville nearly two days after state and local authorities began searching for him.
The agency said Hardie was last seen alive Saturday morning, when his kayak overturned as he was duck hunting on the lake roughly 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Huntsville.
Hardie graduated in May with an associate degree from Snead State Community College in Boaz, Alabama, where he played baseball, Al.com reported. His former coach, Casey Underwood, posted on Facebook that Hardie “wanted nothing more than to make the guys next him much better.”
Underwood's full statement is as follows:
On Saturday morning, we lost a former Parson in Brooks Hardie. But he was much more than a student and baseball player at Snead State Community College. He was truly a friend and brother to his teammates and had a servant’s heart.
On the field, Brooks was one of the toughest kids I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach. He possessed a hard-nosed, never-quit mentality that influenced the entire team. His grit and determination were on full display when he played with a torn hamstring through most of the 2023 season. He was the consummate leader, always encouraging his teammates and pushing to be better every day.
This past season in a May 4 doubleheader, Brooks played one of his best games as a Parson, finishing the day batting 5-of-7 with 3 homeruns and 6 RBIs. Watching him play that day with so much joy and excitement went on to spark a nice postseason run for us. It was one of those performances you don’t forget.
Off the field, we grew really close. Similarities we shared helped us develop a connection, and those things often led to many conversations about life outside of baseball. Through those talks, I realized what a special young man he was.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.
UPDATE (12/17) - The following is a statement from ALEA:
The missing duck hunter has been identified as Brooks Hardie, 22, of [Georgia]. The search began again this morning at approximately 8:00 a.m.
The following agencies are currently on scene assisting in the search effort, Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division, Alabama DCNR Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division, the Scottsboro/Jackson County Rescue Squad, Rosalee Rescue Squad, Guntersville Fire Department, Crane Hill Fire and Rescue along with the Logan Fire and Rescue. The North Alabama Search Dog Association is also providing cadaver K-9s and they have recently joined the search. Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.
Our original story continues below:
ALEA Marine Patrol and other officials are searching for a duck hunter after their kayak capsized Saturday morning. Scottsboro and Jackson County rescue squads are joining ALEA aviators and state conservation officials in the search.
According to an ALEA release, the incident happened around 8 a.m. on Saturday on Lake Guntersville near the Goose Pond Resort. The duck hunter, whose name has not been officially released, never resurfaced after their craft capsized.
The search is ongoing at this time.