OC Coroner confirms Chattooga River Death

Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis has confirmed the identity of a body discovered Friday morning in the Chattooga River as that of 50-year-old Thomas Hill of Tampa, Florida.  His body was located near where the river flows into Lake Tugaloo.   Addis said, “The discovery was made by Oconee County emergency services workers boating on Lake Tugaloo toward the Chattooga River; these workers were searching the shoreline of the lake for the body of the known missing rafter.  It is believed the body was dislodged due to the recent heavy rains in our area and the river basin.  An autopsy was performed Friday afternoon; through dental records, the body was positively identified as that of Mr. Hill.” Based on the case history and autopsy findings, the cause of death is determined to be fresh water drowning and the manner of death is classified as accidental.