A remote marsh south of Wanchese turned into the scene of a grim discovery Saturday when Dare County deputies found a body inside a drifting boat, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials say the find is connected to a missing person case that family members have been raising alarms about since December.
Deputies were called out after a passerby reported a small vessel in the marshland and found a person inside, Chief Deputy Jeff Deringer said. Official identification and the cause of death are still pending, according to WITN. The sheriff’s office told reporters the missing person report tied to the case was filed on Dec. 10 while investigators continue processing the scene and following leads.
Who officials say was found
Authorities said the remains are believed to be those of 37-year-old Robert Tedrick Dough of Wanchese, who family members say was last seen in late November, as reported by The Charlotte Observer. Family postings and local reporting note Dough owned a 19-foot jon boat that had gone missing, and his mother had offered a reward of up to $3,500 for credible information, per the Outer Banks Voice.
Investigation ongoing
The Dare County Sheriff’s Office said it will release more details as investigators complete their work and coordinate with medical examiners. Deputies have urged anyone with information to contact Dare Communications or the sheriff’s office, local outlets report.
The marsh where the boat was found sits on the southern end of Roanoke Island, roughly a 190 mile drive from downtown Raleigh, and officials say they are still following up on tips and search leads, according to WITN.
