By: Carissa Hebert

LSN Writer

CHICOT LAKE -- A search for a Eunice man at Chicot State Park in Ville Platte ended early Friday when his body was discovered by local authorities.

The night before, Thursday, authorities were notified that Elvy Andrew Thibodeaux, 73, of 421 Ulysses did not return to the South Landing Banks at Chicot Lake byt approximately 6:30 p.m.

Sheriff Eddie Soileau said his office responded along with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) agents and Ward Five Fire District, which is located in the northern part of the parish.

Soileau said according to the family, Thibodeaux went to the lake to check some lines he had set earlier in the day.

His wife didn’t go with him on the trip due to an injury she had received earlier. Thibodeaux was a diabetic, and his wife became worried when he didn’t return. The family contacted authorities after failing to locate him.

Authorities quickly set up a search pattern with three agents from LDWF, two Chicot Park rangers and firefighters from Ward Five while deputies set up a command post on the banks and kept track of searchers and assisted the family.

At approximately 11:40 p.m., Thibodeaux’s boat was found by searchers near a little island but he was not found.

Dragging of the lake was performed and authorities contacted Acadia Parish for assistance since the parish has a cadaver dog.

The dog and the Fire Department dive team began searching at sunrise, finding the body a short while later.