The body of a missing boater has been recovered on Douglas Lake in Jefferson County.
On Sunday, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Yoser G. Rojas Valverde, 44, of Sevierville, went missing in the area of Indian Creek after entering the water from a pontoon boat. Witnesses report that he struggled to stay afloat, went under, and did not resurface.
On Monday, at approximately 11:12 a.m., Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers located Mr.
Valverde’s body in 18 feet of water using a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Divers from the Carter County Rescue Squad recovered the body at approximately 11:35 a.m.
The incident is under investigation by TWRA and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
This marks the 17th boating-related fatality on Tennessee waters in 2025.
TWRA reminds all boaters and passengers to wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD). This simple action is the most effective way to preventing drowning. Even confident swimmers can quickly become fatigued or disoriented in open water, and a life jacket provides critical protection in emergencies.