Found Deceased GA - Darrious Stephens, 36, Albany city employee, reported missing while collecting water samples from Flint River, 16 Feb 2024

[imstilla.grandma]

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The city of Albany held a press conference on Friday, Feb. 16 about the search for a missing city employee, Darrious Stephens, 36, who was reported missing while collecting water samples from the Flint River.

City Manager Steven Carter said Friday he was “not sure” if Stephens and the employee who was with him violated safety protocols at the time Stephens went missing. On Thursday, Feb. 15, WALB’s Lenah Allen spoke with Stephens’ friends who questioned the city’s safety protocols.

“Unfortunately, one of them got sidetracked and did something different,” Carter said. “He was actually in the truck recording the information while the other one was taking the sample. When he realized that the person had not returned in a couple of minutes, he went to check on him and that’s when we found out he was missing,” Carter said.

WATCH: City of Albany held press conference on missing city employee, city’s protocols questioned

The press conference was held to go over what has been done so far in the search, as well as provide updates on the search for the missing employee.

www.walb.com

 

[GraceG]

Taking a water sample in high water in stormy conditions has the potential to be dangerous in and of itself, likely why they send two people out. But what broke my heart reading this was Darrious can't swim. Flint River search for Albany employee goes into fourth day

 

[*LD*]

If the other employee had been there, there's a good chance they would have given their life trying to rescue him.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Officials with DNR are searching on boats that use sonar and will search for two river miles, Monk said.

“If sonar picks up something, if it’s a reasonable cause to believe it’s what they’re looking for, they might send the divers in,” she said.

According to the National Weather Service, current river levels are at 9.95 feet as of 1:45 p.m. on Saturday.

The National Weather Service reported the Flint River levels at 9.95 feet as of 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.(Source: National Weather Service)

Search for missing city employee enters 13th day

Officials are still searching for the missing City of Albany employee.

www.walb.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Searches underway for 2 men missing in Flint River

Two separate Flint River searches are happening simultaneously for men who disappeared on different days.

www.walb.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The recovery, 20 days after he initially went missing, was made without the use of divers since his remains were made visible by the lower water level

Body found in Flint River identified as missing Albany city worker

The recovery, 20 days after he initially went missing, was made without the use of divers since his remains were made visible by the lower water level.

www.walb.com