Authorities have been searching for the body of Thomas Hedrick, 31, Fort Riley, who drowned Christmas Eve while duck hunting at Milford Lake.

During the past week searchers have been involved in that effort.

Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf confirmed that at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday ( Jan. 1 ) the victim’s body was located in the Lake on the southwest side of the Reservoir.  “Over in the Charley’s Point area right there where we figured where he would be.”

Wolf noted on Tuesday evening during the search side scan sonar hit an anomaly, prompting authorities to want to look again. They couldn’t do it then due to the pending freeze, but were able to return Wednesday morning to the site.  A Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism airboat was able to break the ice and boats were then brought in and located the anomaly again with the side scan sonar. Drag lines were then utilized to recover the body.

“This has been a very tough search on all that have been involved, none more than the family, “said Wolf. “But everybody that has been out there involved in this from the beginning, this is one of those that you’ll never forget.

Wolf indicated an autopsy will be done, which is considered normal procedure.

Approximately 10 people participated in the search on Wednesday, but over the past week over 100 people have helped in that effort.