Tragic Drowning At Dorcheat Bayou Claims Two Lives

Tragedy in Webster Parish over the weekend. Two people have drowned at Dorcheat Bayou near Shongaloo.

Who Died in This Tragic Incident

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker has identified the victims as 54-year-old Annie Ruth Buggs of Bernice and 41-year-old Deandrea Perez Ford of Homer. Sheriff Parker says the two were apparently fishing from the banks of the bayou near a boat launch off Bobby Davis Rd.

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What Caused These Drownings

The early stage of the investigation indicates one of the victims might have fallen from a chair into the water and the other jumped in to try to save her.

Parker says:

We cannot be sure which of them fell into the water. We found a chair in the water and another still on the bank. We learned from relatives that neither of the individuals could swim. It’s just a tragic event.

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The call came in to the Sheriff’s office at about 8:30 Sunday morning. The caller reported a body floating in the bayou near the boat launch. Deputies responded along with Springhill, Cotton Valley and Sarepta fire departments.

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Sheriff Parker says “after Ms. Buggs’ body was recovered from the water, deputies found no keys to a vehicle which was parked at the scene,” Parker said. “At that point, we called the Springhill dive team to search underwater for any evidence. During their search, they discovered the body of Mr. Ford. in about 10 feet of water.”

Sheriff Thanks All Agencies Involved

Parker salutes the help from other teams. “We really appreciate the assistance from all the agencies, and we want to thank the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for notifying the families.”

Parker says both bodies have been sent to Little Rock, Arkansas for autopsy. Results should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Parker says “All of us want to convey our deepest sympathies to the families of these individuals. We will keep them in our prayers.”