Search continues for Bowman man who drowned in Lake Hartwell

HART COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities have identified the man at the center of an ongoing search effort on Lake Hartwell as 73-year-old David Seymour of Bowman. Family members publicly identified Seymour over the weekend, and state officials later confirmed his identity as search crews continue their efforts to recover his body.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, game wardens were notified just before 6 p.m. on June 20 of a possible drowning in the Gum Branch area of Lake Hartwell. Witnesses told investigators that Seymour entered the water from a boat to retrieve an item but was unable to return to the vessel.

Game wardens, along with emergency personnel from Hart and Elbert counties, responded to the area and immediately began searching for Seymour using sonar equipment. Search crews have remained on the lake since Saturday evening, said DNR Law Enforcement Division Lt. Adam Loudermilk.

‘A very painful waiting game’

The identification confirms information previously shared by Seymour’s family. In a social media post, his son-in-law, Wes Tombs, described the emotional toll the family has faced as they await answers.

“Needless to say, we are extremely devastated by this and we ask for privacy and for people to stop speculating online about what happened,” Tombs wrote. “At this time they have not yet recovered his body, so it is just a very painful waiting game at this point.”

Search efforts continued Tuesday. Authorities said crews are using multiple forms of specialized technology in an effort to locate Seymour. Search teams have deployed sonar equipment and remotely operated underwater vehicles, commonly known as underwater drones, to search beneath the surface of the lake.

Seeking closure

Community members have been helping by providing snacks, drinks, and other refreshments to crews working long hours during the search. Authorities are asking boaters and others near the search area to stay clear of emergency vessels and active operations near the Mega Ramp off Ridge Road so crews can work safely and effectively.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” said Hart County Sheriff Chris Carroll.

Tombs said the family continues to hope search teams can recover Seymour and provide some measure of closure.

“We ask for you to send some hope our way for the search teams to find his body so that we can have his funeral and get some measure of closure on this,” he wrote.