3 men found dead after going fishing and swimming in Mississippi River, authorities say

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) – A search for a group of missing men in Tennessee has come to a tragic end at Meeman-Shelby State Park.

According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, three men went missing Tuesday while swimming and fishing in the Mississippi River.

Authorities said rescue personnel recovered the three bodies on Wednesday morning just south of a boat ramp.

Multiple agencies responded and were involved in the search and recovery effort, including Shelby County Search and Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard.

John Morris, the public information officer with the sheriff’s department, said two bodies were first recovered around 11 a.m., with the third located at 12:45 p.m.

It has been a difficult day for the families of the three missing men. There was a growing crowd of loved ones in the forest along the Mississippi River as agencies searched the water.

Family members said one of the missing men was 52-year-old Francis Yanes, who was fishing with two friends on the river.

Yanes’ family said he has six children, the youngest of whom was 12 years old.

Doug Ammons, the owner of a general store a few miles from the river, says people getting lost or drowning in the area happens too often.

“This is a horrific tragedy right here, and it happens way too often,” Ammons said. “But I understand how it happens.”

Ammons urges people to just stay out of the Mississippi River, calling it “lethally dangerous.”

“The probability of one-on-one taking on the mighty Mississippi, you’re going to lose. Especially without a flotation device,” he said.

Authorities said the medical examiner is still determining the cause of death.

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