Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a single vessel boating fatality that occurred on Jan. 29 in Avoyelles Parish.
The body of Vidal J. Martinez Jr., 38, of Marksville, was recovered from Lac Tete de Boeuf on the Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area on Jan. 29 around 8:15 p.m.
Agents were notified around 7:30 p.m. about a capsized vessel and missing boater on Lac Tete de Boeuf. According to the survivor, he and Martinez were in a 16 foot aluminum vessel when it started taking on water and capsized. The survivor was able to swim to the shore and Martinez went under the water and did not resurface.
LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this fatal boating incident. Martinez’ body was turned over to the Avoyelles Parish Coroner’s Office to determine an official cause of death. Martinez and the survivor were not wearing personal flotation devices when the boat capsized.
This is the fifth boating fatality in 2021 for Louisiana, marking a grim record early in the season.