Crews recover body from Douglas County lake

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Crews recovered the body of a missing man from a Douglas County lake Wednesday morning.

The Department of Natural Resources had been searching an area at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglasville for 24-year-old Alberto Palacios of Douglasville

The department said the search started Monday after it received a call around 6 p.m. about an adult Hispanic male who had fallen into the water.

Officials said Palacios was on a paddleboat with his family when he fell into the water and never resurfaced.

"I guess people tried to help, but couldn't get to him in time so all we can do is pray," neighbor Debbie Page said.
Authorities said the rented paddleboat had life jackets on board.

Crews searched for Palacios until 1 a.m. Tuesday, using sonar boats.

The search started again around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday and continued into the afternoon with sonar boats and helicopters.

The DNR said the lake is a manageable size to scan and they are working tirelessly to find Palacios.

“This lake is not extremely deep in the area we’re looking. It’s probably 25 feet at most… and has a fairly clean bottom that will aid our searchers in looking for the individual,” DNR Major Stephen Adams said.

Palacios’ parents and siblings were at the staging area for most of the day Tuesday.

Cox Media Group