Rescuers Find Body of Missing 18-Year-Old in Oconee River

DUBLIN, GA – Rescue workers found the body of 18-year-old Hunter Mimbs just after 4:00p.m. today in Laurens County.

Hunter fell into the Oconee River around 5 a.m. Saturday during a fishing trip outside Dublin.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol Dive Team, and E.M.A. spent three full days searching the river, before they found Hunter. His body was found about one quarter of a mile north of the Shady Field Landing, which is near Rock Springs Road in Laurens County.

The river is 6 to 12 feet deep in the area where Mimbs fell overboard, and trees, roots and debris in the area made the search difficult.

Hunter’s pastor, Joey Diers, is also his cousin, and said Hunter was a good kid, who grew up on the river, and loved to fish.

“It’s tough. I can’t even imagine what his parents are feeling right now…don’t want to…I don’t know if there is any words you can come up with. Just be here to hug them, and let them know you love them. Let them know you’ll be with them. They have to lean on the Lord for the kind of strength they’re gonna need,” Diers said.

Hunter’s mother and father both said Hunter was athletic, and he loved to swim and play sports. They said they hope other kids will learn from this accident to be extra careful when on the water.