The search for a missing teen who vanished at a late-night party near Hanging Rock came to a tragic end today after rescue divers discovered the body of 18-year-old Shannon Chase Sizemore in a pond at the ORV Recreation area off State Route 650.
The teen was first reported missing after officers responded to a report of a group of teens drinking alcohol in the recreation area, which is also known as the Strip Mine.
When deputies arrived, teens scattered into the woods. However, when they returned to the parking lot a bit later, they realized that Sizemore was missing. When deputies asked if anyone had seen him, some of the kids in attendance said they heard splashing and thought he might have gone into one of the ponds in the area, while others said they didn’t believe he went in the water.
Deputies searched the area on foot and with a drone at the time and then initiated a larger search when the sun came up. Drones, dogs, boats with sonar, ATVs, and groups of citizens conducted a search for the missing team all day until the sun set. Early Monday morning, the search resumed with rescue divers searching both ponds.
A dive team discovered a body in a pond near where the party was held around 11 am. Officials say the body was fully clothed and stuck in mud at the bottom of the pond around 53 feet from shore.
The boy’s parents positively identified him, and the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office took possession of the body for further forensic investigation. However, foul play is not suspected. Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless said the incident is still under investigation.