Body found in truck submerged in Alabama lake identified as man missing since 2013

Published 4:36 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2024

A body discovered Friday in a truck in an Alabama lake have been identified as an elderly man who disappeared 11 years ago, officials said.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office announced the identity of the body as Oscar Lewis King, who went missing in 2013 when he was 72.

Sheriff Jeff Shaver said Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences confirmed King’s identity.

The skeletal remains were found Friday inside a truck in Weiss Lake. The truck was registered to King. A fisherman spotted what he thought was a truck and alerted authorities.

“It appears King accidentally drove into the water off the boat ramp located at Chesnut Bay Resort near Leesburg,” the sheriff’s office said. “According to Cherokee County Chief Deputy Josh Summerford, no foul play is suspected.”

“We are thankful that the case is now resolved and the family can gain closure in knowing what happened,” Sheriff Jeff Shaver said.