UPDATE:  09/01/2020

     The Sheriff's Office has been able to determine the identity of the body of the man found in the Pigeon Creek area of Lake Norfork on August 29th.  The body has been identified as 43 year old ANDREW A. CUNNINGHAM with a last known address of Cotter.  Acquaintances of the victim spoke with Investigators and assisted in the identification process.  Sheriff's Investigators conferred today with a representative from the Arkansas State Medical Examiner's Office in Little Rock.  The autopsy report has not yet been finalized, however there is no indication that any kind of foul play was involved in the death.  The case will remain open awaiting further findings from the completed autopsy.  

ORIGINAL RELEASE 08/29/2020:

     The Sheriff's Office is investigating a death that was reported this afternoon, August 29th,  at approximately 12:20 PM.  Persons fishing on Lake Norfork in the Pigeon Creek area at "Wolfley Hole" reported finding the body of a man in the water.

    Sheriff's Office personnel and Rangers with the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers responded to the location by boat.  The body was located and has been recovered.  Investigators believe the body has been in the water for several days, and they estimate the body to be that of a man 35-40 years of age.

    No identification has been found on the body, however some personal articles were found on the bank of the lake nearby that may or may not be connected with the man.  The Baxter County Coroner's Office took possession of the body of the deceased, which will be sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner's Office in Little Rock for autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

     Anyone with additional information that can assist with the investigation is asked to contact Sheriff's Lt. Brad Hurst, Criminal Investigation Division, at 870-425-7000 or by email at [email protected]    Additional information will be released once findings from the autopsy become available.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff