Body found in river in Alabama identified as missing Tennessee man

A man who was found dead Monday in the Tennessee River in north Alabama is believed to have jumped from a bridge in Tennessee nearly three weeks earlier, the authorities said

The man was identified as 66-year-old George E. Koontz, who was reported missing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Jan. 29, according to the Marshall County, Ala. sheriff’s office. Koontz’ body was found in the river near Guntersville Dam on Monday afternoon.

Due to heavy rain over the past few weeks, flood gates have remained open along the Tennessee River. Investigators believe this allowed the body to travel 122 miles — from Chattanooga to Guntersville — along the river in nearly three weeks, said Steve Guthrie, a Marshall County sheriff’s office spokesman.

The sheriff’s office investigated the case along with the Marshall County Coroner and police from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Chattanooga.

Suicide resources in Alabama

Alabama Suicide Prevention and Resource Coalition Crisis Center, Inc. (Birmingham)

Phone: 205-323-7777

Kids Help Line: 205-328-KIDS (5437)

Teen Link: 205-328-LINK (5465)

Senior Talk Line: 205-328-TALK (8255)

Hours of Operation: 24/7

Crisis Services of North Alabama (Huntsville)

Phone: 256-716-1000

Toll Free: 800-691-8426

Hours of Operation: 24/7

Lifelines/Family Counseling Center of Mobile

Phone: 251-431-5111

Toll Free: 800-293-1117

Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CST) Monday-Friday

Sources: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and The Alabama Suicide Prevention and Resource Coalition

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