The search began in the dark Tuesday morning, May 25, 2021, near the Forsyth-Gwinnett county line. According to Southin’s family and friends, David Southin had been fishing in the Suwanee area the day before and lost touch with his wife.
Rescuers from the DNR, the National Park Service and both Forsyth and Gwinnett counties joined in the effort to locate him. Initially, Gwinnett rescuers tried to use infrared technology to find the kayaker but were not successful, according to fire department spokesman Lt. Donald Strother.
About two hours into the search, divers were forced to pause the mission. Fog and darkness had hindered their ability to move any further, Strother said. They resumed at 8:30 a.m.
Missing NPF Stories
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Personal Characteristics
41 years old
Sexual Orientation: HETEROSEXUAL
Classification: KAYAKER / JET SKIER / BOATER
Investigative Overview
Foul Play Suspected: Unknown / Undisclosed
Suspected Suicide: Unknown / Undisclosed
Cause of Death: Undetermined / Unreleased
Significant Dates
Reported missing on May 24, 2021 - 855 days, 4 hours, 56 minutes ago
Found on May 25, 2021 - 854 days, 4 hours, 56 minutes ago
This case file was posted on
May 27, 2021 at 12:00
This case file was last modified on
Jun 06, 2021 at 15:26
This case file has been assigned the Missing Persons ID 4501
Disclaimer
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madelena
August 30, 2023 at 4:47 pm
This is my dad and i am so sad that he died at this Chattahoochee river. he was my dad and i miss hi so very much!
Kathleen Southin
March 4, 2022 at 12:20 pm
My husband’s autopsy revealed drowning as cause of death and this case is closed.
madelena
August 30, 2023 at 4:47 pmThis is my dad and i am so sad that he died at this Chattahoochee river. he was my dad and i miss hi so very much!
Kathleen Southin
March 4, 2022 at 12:20 pmMy husband’s autopsy revealed drowning as cause of death and this case is closed.
Judaea Rojo
July 11, 2021 at 6:39 pm5/25/21 Update: David Southin’s body has been found. More here: https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-divers-searching-for-kayaker-who-went-missing-in-chattahoochee-river/5NRPYQJU2BE7RAQYVASUWYEEEQ/
Joss Leal
May 28, 2021 at 3:16 pmPending review of file.