THE LATEST: Wheeler Lake death under investigation

Published 6:00 pm Thursday, June 13, 2019

An investigation is underway to determine what happened to an Athens man whose body was found Thursday in Wheeler Lake.

A fisherman discovered the body of 56-year-old Derek Lane early Thursday morning. Lane was reported missing about 9 p.m. Tuesday night.

According to earlier reports from law enforcement, Lane and another identified person were in a boat on Wheeler Lake in the 9000 block of Motter Drive in the Brigadoon Community. It is believed Lane either fell or jumped from the boat as it approached a dock.

After Lane was reported missing, the Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Rogersville Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol began looking for him. On Wednesday, ALEA’s Marine Patrol returned to the lake and was joined in the search by Rogersville Fire & Rescue Service and divers from the Morgan County Rescue Squad.

The search was set to resume Thursday morning, but Lane’s body was discovered near the 291 river mile marker.