Body Found In Creek Near Dow Lake

UPDATE 4:30 p.m. Officials are investigating the discovery of a body in a creek off Route 50, east of Athens.

At around 12:30 p.m., Lt. Jason Kline and Deputy Jimmy Childs of the Athens County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the area after a passerby found a backpack along Route 50.

At 2:22 p.m., a body was discovered in the creek across the road from Dow Lake Dam and about a mile east of Holzer Clinic. Officials on the scene explained that the creek is fed by spillway water from the dam as well as rain water and empties into the Hocking River.

Officials have yet to release the name of the victim as positive identification was still being made Thursday afternoon and next of kin had not been notified.

When asked, Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith said there was no evidence to believe the body was that of Sam Wiater, a 21-year-old from Athens missing since March 13 or that of Waterloo Twp. residents Jonathon Ash, 13 or Bailey Bartlett, 16, who were last seen Tuesday evening.

More than a dozen emergency response vehicles lined Route 50 and the area was taped off which investigators processed the scene. Agencies that responded include the sheriff's office, Strouds Run State Park Rangers, Richland Area Volunteer Fire Department and the Athens County Coroner's Office.

A body has been found in a creek near Dow Lake off Route 50, east of Athens.

Investigators from the Athens County Sheriff's Office and coroner's office are at the scene. An update will be provided as soon as more information is available.