Staff Report

The body of a man who died after his boat hit a tree on Normandy Lake has been found.

Earlier in the day on Friday, April 10, the sheriff’s office received a call at about 1 p.m. about a boat floating near Fire Lake with no one on board. The sheriff’s office, along with assistance from both Coffee County and Warren County rescue and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, began searching and diving the area to find the owner of the boat.

In a statement, Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin confirmed that first responders had recovered the body of Ashton M. Matney, 21, of Lawrenceburg.

“He came to Normandy Lake in Coffee County early this morning to scout out turkey hunting locations from the water,” Partin said. “Investigation is a boating accident from evidence of damage to the boat from striking a tree in the water. He was ejected from the boat.”

Partin continued and said the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and TWRA are continuing the investigation, and the body has been sent to Nashville for autopsy.

“I want to thank all those who responded and gave closure to this young man’s family,” Partin said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Matney family of Lawrence County.”

In an earlier statement today, Partin said the sheriff’s office received a call at about 1 p.m. about a boat floating near Fire Lake with no one on board.