Missing Alabama boater found dead on Lay Lake

SHELBY, Ala. — The body of a missing boater was recovered Sunday from Lay Lake in central Alabama.

Searchers found the body of David D. Etheridge, 51, of Hoover in the Spring Creek section of the lake, said Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Authorities began searching for Etheridge Saturday after finding his new bass boat floating abandoned on the lake in a section bordering Shelby County.

Burkett didn’t say how officials believe Etheridge died.

Lay Lake is reservoir on the Coosa River southeast of Birmingham.