Body found in lake identified as missing jet skier

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A body found Monday in Allatoona Lake is that of a jet skier who was reported missing, authorities told Channel 2 Action News.

Letrise Portia Ross, 49, left the Webster Ferry boat ramp near Red Top Mountain about 10 a.m. Sunday and was supposed to return to the area about 1 p.m., Cherokee sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Jay Baker said.

Ross’ jet ski was found about 5 p.m. near a small island not far from Harbor Town Marina, Baker said. She was nowhere to be found, and her family contacted authorities. %

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"This is a horrible situation," witness Jenny Harris said.

Harris showed Channel 2's Tom Regan where a boater spotted the empty jet ski floating

between the wake wall and a nearby island.

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“I checked out the jet ski there was no damage to the jet ski,” Harris said. “So I got on the phone and I called the Corps of Engineers. They gave me a little information, and I called the DNR and let them know it’s a situation that we need to make somebody come out and make sure (they) start searching.”

Authorities said Ross went jet skiing on her own Sunday morning after her husband dropped her off at boat ramp near Red Top Mountain.

When Ross failed to return to meet her husband, he called for help.

“(We) started doing a search late yesterday for the young woman,” Tina Cavena said.

Using sonar, searchers located the body not far from where the jet ski was discovered.

She was not wearing a life jacket, which was found on top of the seat of the jet ski.

“It's sad for the family,” Tim Cavender said. “It's difficult for the rescuers who have to go do this type of thing. It hits home with them as well.”

Cox Media Group