According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at approximately 1:10 a.m. as the victim was operating a 14-foot Jon Boat eastbound on the lake when the vessel began taking on water and capsized.
Investigators reported that occupant weight was not evenly distributed in the boat, causing it to become unstable. All occupants were thrown into the water as the vessel overturned. The driver began struggling to swim and subsequently went underwater.
Emergency responders from the Branson Fire Department assisted at the scene and recovered the vessel. The victim was pronounced dead at 2:08 a.m. His body was released to Cremation Services of the Ozarks after next of kin were notified.
The patrol report indicated the operator was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
This marks Troop D’s fifth boating fatality of 2026.
