Following the capsize of his kayak in Alabama over the weekend, the corpse of a Georgia duck hunter who had been reported missing was discovered early on Monday morning, according to the police.
PEOPLE received an email from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirming that the corpse of Brooks Hardie, a 22-year-old victim of drowning, was found and retrieved in the water close to the Goose Pond Resort on Lake Guntersville at roughly 3:30 in the morning.
According to the authorities, Hardie was out duck hunting on Saturday morning when his kayak flipped over, leading him to “go beneath the water and never resurface.”
An inquiry is now being conducted.
It was stated by the ABC station WSB that Hardie was originally from Bremen, Georgia. As stated by the publication, he received his diploma from Bremen High School and participated in both the school’s football and baseball teams during his time there.
Using various social media platforms, Davis Russel, who coaches football at Bremen High School, paid respect to Hardie.
The coach stated on X, which was previously known as Twitter, that members of the team, including teammates, students, friends, coaches, and teachers, are experiencing pain. Although we are all in pain at the moment, we are grateful to you, Brooks Hardie, for you have helped us all feel better. It is because you were a part of the world that it is a better place. You have our love.
In addition, Bremen City Schools shed tears at Hardie’s passing.
Their post on Facebook said, “Bremen City Schools mourns the loss of 2021 Graduate Brooks Edmund Hardie.” The message was issued by the school district. During this very trying time, we ask that you pray for Brooks’ family and friends.
According to AL.com, Hardie continued his baseball career after graduating from high school by playing for Snead State Community College in Boaz, Alabama. This past spring, he received his diploma.
Casey Underwood, the athletic director and head baseball coach at Snead State University, stated in a statement that was uploaded by the school that “He was the true definition of Snead State Baseball.” While he was concerned about himself, he was more concerned about the people to his right and left. Nothing was more important to him than making the people who were sitting next to him considerably better.
The Snead State Baseball organization issued a separate statement in which they expressed their “devastation” upon learning about the unfortunate occurrence. During this trying time, we want his family, friends, and teammates to know that they are currently in our thoughts and prayers.