News Release

Calhoun County man dies in boating mishap

October 11, 2007
Contact: Investigator Eric Johnston, (850) 265-3676

The body of a Calhoun County man was recovered Wednesday morning from Lake Wimico.

Law enforcement authorities say the body of Robert Brian McLeod, 32, Kinard, was located in the southwest corner of Lake Wimico about 150 feet out in the lake.

McLeod and his brother-in-law Neal Goodson, 41, White City, had gone out Tuesday afternoon on a 10-foot aluminum boat with a 15-horsepower motor to check on deer stands and deer feeders. They were returning to the White City boat landing about 8 p.m. (EDT) when they hit something in the lake. The impact ejected both men.

Neither man was wearing a life jacket.

“Both guys were in voice contact at least initially,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Investigator Eric Johnston. “The boat was circling widely, and Goodson tried to stop the boat but couldn’t. Goodson made it to shore and called out to McLeod but couldn’t locate him.”

When Goodson failed to return home for dinner, his brother Carl came searching for him. He located Goodson on the bank about 11 p.m.; then he called 9-1-1.

Searchers from the FWC, Gulf County Sheriff’s Office and Gulf and Bay County Search and Rescue responded and searched until McLeod’s body was recovered mid-morning on Wednesday.

McLeod’s death is the 63rd confirmed boating fatality in Florida this year.