UPDATE: 7:10 p.m.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a woman’s body was found inside a submerged car at Joe’s Bayou Recreation Area in Destin today.
The OCSO Dive Team found the body of 46-year-old Cheri Michele Evans of Destin inside the vehicle, a 2011 Ford Fusion. The initial 9-1-1 call came in around 7 a.m. Friday, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.
An autopsy will be conducted by the First District Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to call the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS, www.emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com or text “TIP214 plus your message” to CRIMES (274637).
UPDATE: 3:45 p.m.
A deceased woman was recovered from a car that submerged in Joe’s Bayou Friday, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Public Information Officer Michele Nicholson told The Log that identification wouldn’t be released until the next of kin was notified.
Officials say there is no reason to believe there are more bodies involved, but the possibility couldn’t be ruled out completely this early into the investigation.
About a half dozen law enforcement officers had blocked the boat ramp at Joe’s Bayou with crime scene tape as they worked the scene. Responders from the United States Coast Guard and sheriff’s office dive team assisted in recovery.
The white car could be seen almost fully submerged, with only a portion of the roof and sunroof visible above the waterline. The vehicle had been removed from the bayou by 11:45 a.m.
An investigation is ongoing.
Original Post:
Officials from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office have blocked of the boat ramp at Joe's Bayou as they work the scene of a car that is submerged in the water. Officials at the scene would not confirm or deny whether there is a body in the vehicle.
Public Information Officer Michele Nicholson told The Log a dive team was on its way to investigate.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.