INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The search for a missing paddle boarder has ended with the outcome no one wanted. Crews found the body of David Fiege Sunday morning shortly before seven.
The search ended near where it started along the Eagle Creek Reservoir just south of 56th Street very close to where Fiege's paddleboard and paddle were found.
"We don't know if the current or the wind played a role in where he was located, if it actually moved the body, we don't know at this time and will probably never know," said Jet Quillen, Department of Natural Resources.
The waters are quiet and a little calmer now under the rain that's been falling off and on all weekend. The search for Fiege started Friday night after his family reported him missing when he didn't return home from paddleboarding. That search extended well into the overnight hours under a heavy cloak of darkness. Then, Saturday--more crews from multiple agencies deployed boats, divers and sonar searching in around and underwater before severe weather suspended the search.
Then, the dreaded discovery.
"We always hope for that happy ending. Unfortunately, we don't see that often. At least we can give that family closure and help them with anything they need from this point forward," said Quillen.
If the last name, Fiege, sounds familiar, it's because Dave Fiege was the uncle of Rachael Fiege. She was the IU Freshman who died during Welcome Week just before classes started when she fell and hit her head at an off-campus party. Next week will be the three-year anniversary of her death.
We talked with the Fiege Family this morning and they wanted to share the following statement, "Dave was an amazing man and father. And his death will be a great loss not only to his wife and children, but his co-workers at Methodist Hospital and the community of Speedway...This time of year is always tough for us and now even more challenging."
And while investigators don't suspect foul play, they're not ruling anything out either. So, they'll await the coroner's report before determining an official cause of death.
The Fiege Family also asked Eyewitness News reporter Carrie Cline to pass along the following message, "We send our profound gratitude to all of those who worked so diligently to find Dave including the DNR, Pike Township fire and rescue, the divers, the joint efforts of law enforcement from Speedway and IMPD as well as the countless volunteers and neighbors in the Eagle Creek area who helped in the search. The weather conditions were challenging to say the least. Words can never express how the selfless efforts of others will bring some degree of peace to our family."
Earlier story about the search : A second search got underway Saturday morning at 8 o’clock for a paddleboarder reported missing at Eagle Creek.
Police say 56-year-old David B. Fiege went paddleboarding around 5:30 p.m. Friday. He was supposed to meet family at 7:30 p.m., but never showed up.
Fiege is described as a white male, 6'2", 240 lbs, with brown and gray, short, curly hair, and hazel eyes. He also is "very tanned" and was last seen wearing blue swimming trunks.
Searchers found the Fiege's paddleboard, oar and life vest, which was tied to the board, but have found no sign of the man.
Conservation officers say they are searching the shoreline and local businesses in hopes of finding the man. Officer Jet Quillen is encouraging Fiege's family to not give up hope.
"Strange things happen," Quillen said. "They step off the paddleboard to go on shore and the paddleboard drifts away and they get lost. So as of right now, I don't presume anything. I want the family and the loved ones to keep as much help as they can and we will pray for a positive outcome."
Family called for help around 9 Friday night, and crews searched for about two hours, until shortly before 11 p.m. Friday due to darkness and wind.
"We witnessed floating items in the water tonight they were moving fairly quick due to the wind. As of right now, we do not have a real good area to concentrate on. So that's another reason why daylight becomes a huge factor and bringing additional resources and additional sonar units to help in the search," said Quillen.
Saturday’s search also proved to be a challenge due to the weather.
“Rain is not so much of an issue; if it starts thunder and lightning that's when it becomes a safety issue for us,” Quillen said.